The Lifelong Learning Report
The results of the study of lifelong learning in Ireland have been published. Dermot Corrigan introduces an overview of the findings of the lifelong learning index.
Irish people are now very aware of the importance of keeping their skill set and qualifications up to date. They feel, however, that their government is not doing enough to help them compete in today’s fast-evolving labour market.
93% of us think that the Government has a responsibility to make sure that individuals have the opportunity to improve their skills, qualifications and employment prospects. Only one in five, however, believe that enough public money is invested in lifelong learning.
These statistics are derived from a recently published study – ‘The Lifelong Learning Index’ – which was conducted by information provider Learning Ireland to measure opinions and trends across the different aspects of lifelong learning in Ireland. 1,106 adults, from all backgrounds in Irish society, and with a wide range of past educational achievement, contributed to the online study, carried out on the www.nightcourses.com, www.postgrad.ie and www.corporatetraining.ie websites between September 13th and 29th 2006.
Tax Credits for Lifelong Learning?
The comprehensive study points to one imaginative way in which the Government could make real progress in assisting the public to gain the skills and qualifications that are necessary for people to progress their careers. 97% of respondents said that they would like to see the Government introduce tax credits/relief to help individuals pay for training courses.
At present a certain amount of tax relief is available to assist students in paying third level tuition fees and also to learners taking certain IT and language courses. The study suggests that a much broader scheme would be popular. An investment in lifelong learning allows people to realise their individual potential and to move ‘up the career ladder’ to better-paid and more challenging positions. As well as being important to the individual, these positions are highly valuable to the Irish economy. If we are to progress towards the “knowledge society” about which we often hear, the introduction of tax credits to compensate for course fees could be a step in the right direction.
How popular is Lifelong Learning in Ireland?
The findings of the ‘Lifelong Learning Index’ demonstrate clearly that Irish people see the importance of continuing their education throughout their working lives. More than 4 out of 5 respondents to the survey said that they have taken an adult education course in the past, while 77% plan to enroll in a course within the next twelve months. 83% have taken a training course or night class in the last five years.
These figures show that lifelong learning has taken a firm hold within Irish society. Whereas some years back many people saw their education as completed once they left school or university, today the vast majority of Irish people realise that the changes within the Irish labour market mean that they must continually return to education to ‘top-up’ their skills and qualifications.
Employer’s Understand the Importance of Lifelong Learning
The results of the Lifelong Learning Index suggest that if the Government is not offering sufficient assistance to Ireland’s lifelong learners, employers regularly step in and offer
professional development training in the workplace, and fund their employee’s extra –mural training courses.
Employees appear to be relatively satisfied with the assistance given by their employers. 66% of respondents said that their employer offers sufficient training and education opportunities, and 59% receive organised or regular training at work.
Many employers recognise that investing in lifelong learning for employees can be a good business decision. Over half (56%) of the respondents said that their employer offers extra funding to allow them to take a course outside of work hours, while 42% said that their employer paid the majority of the course/tuition fees of their last course. This is compared to less than 10% who received an EU or Irish government grant or other official funding.
Why take a Lifelong Learning course?
Respondents to the Lifelong Learning Index gave a number of different reasons for having taken a lifelong learning course in the past, with career-focused motives featuring highly in the results. The most popular (36%) reason was to learn new skills, followed by a personal interest in the subject (32%) and a wish to take advantage of promotional opportunities (16%). One in seven (14%) of those polled said that their primary motivation was to change career.
The results remain broadly similar when people are asked what motivations would influence their decision to take a course in future.
It is interesting to note that the vast majority of respondents showed initiative and chose their class themselves because they wished to do it, with only 1% saying that the strongest reason for taking a course was ‘that their employer required it’. This suggests that Irish people are taking control of their own career destinies.
What Lifelong Learning courses do people do?
Those who participated in the Lifelong Learning Index said that they have taken classes
across a broad range of subjects. Business courses were the most popular (34%), closely followed by Arts, Crafts & Humanities subjects (21%), IT classes (17.5%) and Health, Wellbeing & Personal Development themed courses (16%).
The fact that over half of respondents chose either business or IT subjects underlines the notion that Irish people are looking to lifelong learning opportunities to further their career progression.
Lifelong learning is not all work though! The strong showing of the Arts, Crafts &
Humanities and Health, Wellbeing & Personal Development sectors suggests that the Irish lifelong learning sector continues to offer options in a diverse range of subjects.
How do students choose their course?
The findings of the Lifelong Learning Index demonstrate that Irish people tend to conduct
their research and choose their lifelong learning course carefully. The reputation of the
validating body is the most influential factor cited when deciding on a course (32%), with
the reputation of the college next (25%).
The findings suggest that students are willing to pay for the programme they want. Only
14% said that course fees were the most important factor in their course decision.
The study indicates that Irish lifelong learners are comfortable with technology. Almost three quarters of respondents use the Internet as their primary source of information when researching their lifelong learning options. The Internet is also broadly accepted as a mode of course delivery - almost 90% said that they would consider taking a distance learning or e-learning course.
The Lifelong Learning Index also shows that distance and commuting time are factors in
choosing a course. 9 out of 10 respondents said that they were more likely to attend a
programme near where they work or live, with only 16% prepared to travel more than 20km to attend a class.
Overall view of Lifelong Learning in Ireland
In general, the views expressed about the Irish lifelong learning and adult education sectors were very positive, and should be a source of satisfaction to Ireland’s trainers, colleges and course providers. Over 70% of those polled said that their previous educational or training experience was either ‘excellent’ or ‘good’, with only 3% choosing ‘poor’ or ‘very poor’. Respondents pointed to factors such as excellent teachers / trainers, well-structured classes and top class materials and support, as having been particularly beneficial.
With over 80% of Irish people having recently taken a night course, and a similar number
planning on enrolling in a course in the near future, it is clear that the concept of lifelong
learning habit is becoming developed in Irish society. Almost half of respondents to the
Lifelong Learning Index paid the majority of the course/tuition fees out of their own pocket, demonstrating that people are prepared to invest in gaining new skills and
qualifications.
As encouraging as these results are, it would be a mistake for one to become complacent. A ‘knowledge economy’ relies upon a highly trained and educated workforce for success, and further government support would be welcome to help people ensure that they are well placed to meet the formidable challenges, and take full advantage of the exciting new opportunities that continue to exist within the Irish economy.
More about the Lifelong Learning Index
The results of the Lifelong Learning Index make interesting reading for anyone involved
in the sector, either as a student or a course provider.
The complete results are now freely available to online on the www.nightcourses.com website. A bound report is also available free of charge to course providers and training managers who contact Learning Ireland directly (01 2844 738).
The Lifelong Learning Index will be released annually from this year, examining trends and developments in the area of education, personal development and further learning. Learning Ireland operates The National Education Database, the largest searchable database of course options in Ireland, containing listings of over 40,000 courses from over 2000 providers nationwide. Learning Ireland also publishes the ‘First Train’ magazine, The National Guide to Corporate Training, The National Guide to Nightcourses (7 Annual editions), The National Guide to Postgraduate Studies and The National Guide to 3rd Level Education. Learning Ireland also operates corporatetraining.ie, nightcourses.com, postgrad.ie and daycourses.com.
