International seminar, Turku vocational institute Adult Education in Finland - opportunities and obstacles Sakari Ahola “Better understanding about adult participation patterns, motives, and barriers is needed, to make a European Lifelong Learning area a reality.” EAEA (European Association for Education of Adults)

International seminar, Turku vocational institute What is adult education? Adult education in Finland  types of organisations - within the regular education system - specialised organisations and provides  types of education - liberal / general - vocational free vocational personnel training labour market training “young” “adult” for young people for adults especially Regular youth education Adults acquiring education Adult education ? Age criteria Organization criteria

International seminar, Turku vocational institute Finnish adult education survey 2006 (Statistics Finland) Participation during the year 2006 by provider  personnel training by employer27 %  adult education centres11 %  unions and other organizations 8 %  vocational institutions 4 %  labour market training 2 %  open university 2 %  further education centres 2 % … Altogether  participated during %  participated before43 %  never participated 5 %

International seminar, Turku vocational institute Process model of adult education participation SOCIO-ECONOMIC STATUSDEMOGRAPHY & LIVING COND. Education Occupation/ class position Income Age and gender Region Leisure and consumption Values / attitudes and educational preferences Education needs Needs for social activity and participation Goals and expectations Information Terms and obstacles PARTICIPATION Adult education system and course offering

International seminar, Turku vocational institute Participation in adult education by level of education and gender All work-related adult education (from work force) Other than work-related adult education (from olds)

International seminar, Turku vocational institute Non-participation – main obstacles by level of education Did not participate in 2006 by level of education: - low 65 % - medium 52 % - high 29 % Would have liked to participate: - low 21 % - medium 26 % - high 32 % Would not have liked to participate: - low 79 % - medium 74 % - high 68 %

International seminar, Turku vocational institute Concluding remarks Finland Opportunities: - extensive adult education system - vast and versatile course offering - special measures (e.g. the “noste” programme) Obstacles: - unequal access (especially low-educated population) Policy measures: - the uninterested “cannot say” group -> should we do something? - the question of time and other resources - employer - state/educational providers - individual