Results of 2008 Lifelong Learning Index released

The results of an annual survey that monitors behaviours and attitudes amongst adult learners in Ireland have been published on Nightcourses.com. In its third year, this is the first time that the survey has been compiled and conducted in conjunction with Aontas, the National Adult Learning Organisation.

'We warmly welcomed the input of an important and experienced organisation such as Aontas,’ says Kevin Branigan, Managing Director of Learning Ireland. ‘I have no doubt that the results of the survey – some of which give confidence, such as the huge numbers who intend to enrol in a course, and some of which don’t, such as the evident shortfall of support for employee training – will prove extremely useful to all stakeholders in the lifelong learning community.'

The following are some of the key findings of the latest Lifelong Learning Index:

*77% of respondents have taken part in a part time adult education or training course, and the same number intend to enrol in a programme over the course of the next 12 months
*Finance is the most common source of difficulty for people looking to enrol in adult education, with 33% citing it as a barrier to learning
*47% of respondents do not receive organised or regular training at work
*Over a third of respondents believe that ‘adult education is vital for personal development’
*57% believe their involvement with adult education has improved their job prospects
*70% believe training, education and upskilling are ‘essential for career development’.

Click here to see the survey in full and a detailed examination of the findings.

The survey for the 2008 Lifelong Learning Index appeared on www.learningpoint.ie, www.nightcourses.com, www.postgrad.ie, www.corporatetraining.ie, and www.aontas.com. A total of 1,512 visitors to these sites completed the survey.