1. ADULT EDUCATION SURVEY (AES)
comprises the entire body of organised educational processes, whatever the content, level and method
comprises formal, non-formal and informal learning
where adults improve their technical/professional qualifications and further develop their abilities.
The Adult Education Survey (AES) is carried out under European Regulation (EC) 1175/ The requirements specified concern: Data collection period, standardisation (harmonisation), population age range, variables needed, sampling and precision standards, transmission of data and quality report.

2. ADULT EDUCATION SURVEY (AES)
Harmonisation: Every participating country is expected to follow a model questionnaire provided by Eurostat to ensure comparability.
Target Population: The Survey targets persons aged and living in households
AES covers the following topics:
Learning Outcomes
Information, guidance and counselling
Investing time and money in learning
Bringing learning and learners close together
Basic skills and competences

3. LEARNING ACTIVITIES AES covers all Learning Activities:
Learning activities are defined as ‘any activities of an individual organised with the intention to improve his/her knowledge, skills and competences’.
Learning activities must be intentional and organised.
Non-learning activities (NLA) are random learning and are to be excluded. Example:
Sports activities which are not intended to improve one’s skills in a sports discipline. E.g. fitness programmes, gym, game of football with friends should be excluded since their primary scope is leisure not learning.
Include in AES (Non- Formal learning) learning activities such as sports activities which involve a trainer, and focus on rules, techniques and skills, and which are competitive.
On the other hand, if sports is done without a trainer but with the intention to improve skills, then this kind of learning is informal learning.

4. FORMAL, NON-FORMAL AND INFORMAL LEARNING ACTIVITIES

5. FORMAL EDUCATION AND TRAINING
Formal education is education that is institutionalised, intentional and planned activities, which are made up of structured hierarchical programmes with the following criteria:
Chronological succession of levels and grades (ladder system),
admission requirements,
formal registration,
Programmes are recognised by the national education authorities
Provide access to higher levels.
Upon completion, formal learning always leads to a qualification or award recognised by National Authorities (MQF, NQF, EQF level)
Duration of Formal activity is a minimum of 6 months Full Time study /30 ECTS/ One Semester/247.5 contact hours

6. FORMAL EDUCATION AND TRAINING
Institutionalised education:
occurs when an organisation provides structured educational arrangements, such as student-teacher relationships and/or interactions, that are specially designed for education and learning.
Formal education consists of:
initial/compulsory education. i.e. from Pre-primary level to Secondary, and
other courses e.g. Introductory certificates, Foundation courses, Diplomas, Higher Diplomas, Degrees.
To be considered as Formal a programme needs to satisfy at least the duration and recognised programme and qualification as mentioned.

7. NON-FORMAL EDUCATION AND ACTIVITIES
Non-formal education is similar to Formal education.
It is still institutionalised, intentional and planned.
It still involves an instructor-student relationship/interaction.
It is an addition, alternative or complement to formal education.
Does not necessarily apply a continuous pathway structure.
Entry requirements may not be needed for admission.
May be short in duration (less than 6 months FT study) and/or low-intensity.
May be long (longer than 6 months FT) but is not a recognised programme by national authorities therefore it does not lead to a recognised qualification.
Non-formal programmes can sometimes lead to a formal qualification or might lead to no qualifications at all.

8. NON-FORMAL EDUCATION AND ACTIVITIES
Non-formal education is typically provided in the form of:
Short courses
Workshops
Seminars
Guided on-the-job training (incl. short-term apprenticeship)
Private lessons
Examples: receiving paid instruction to learn skiing, no certificate
Improve skills in poetry, evening course, 4 hrs/week, no qualification.
Distance learning course to improve knowledge on nutrition, 4 sessions/yr, for 2 yrs, gives qualification
Attend 1 weekend workshop where everyone can register, programme not recognised
Seminar on hairdressing at a professional organisation, 1hr/1day, sent by employer.
ECDL is Non-Formal learning

9. INFORMAL LEARNING
Intentional, but it is less organised, highly less structured and does not involve an instructor-student interaction/organisation. Might provide a qualification.
May include learning events /activities that occur in the family, in the workplace, and in the daily life of every person. Informal learning happens on a self-directed, family-directed or socially-directed basis
Main categories are in Question F1.
Examples: Unpaid instruction from a friend
Teaching yourself from books
Learning through browsing
Reading to keep up with developments
Teaching oneself sports or getting some help from a friend
Learning by oneself to type
Working on a ‘learning’ project with some friends, which might eventually lead to a qualification.

10. STRUCTURE OF AES QUESTIONNAIRE
Section 1 and Section A: Background information on Household
Section B: Information on the Respondent:
Incomplete education
Employment status
Characteristics of the main job
Section C: Information on the Respondent – Parent Education
Section D:
Access to Information on Learning Opportunities and Guidance
Participation in Education and Training: Formal Education
Non-Formal Education
Detailed Information about selected non-formal activities
Section E: Difficulties related to participation in Education and Training
Section F: Informal Learning
Section G: Knowledge of Language
Section H: Income of the Household

11. (Refer to word document)
GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS
1 year Full-Time study = 36 weeks = 9 months = 60 ECTS = 495 contact hours (class)
Follow all Go to’s
‘No answer’ is to be absolutely avoided
Proxy interviews should be avoided
Level of education (B1) & highest qualification (B2) & Area of study (B4) should be consistent
Age is validated with level of education attained
DEFINITIONS/NOTES FOR IMPORTANT VARIABLES
(Refer to word document)

12. Differences between paper questionnaires vis-à-vis CAPI programme H2: Code 6 = Other (example Households with 3 and more adults) H2 Note: Code 5 = age 4 instead of 24 B1, B7, D10   Education level of attainment questions – no duration in 1st degree, Masters:                     First degree or equivalent /MCAST Bachelor Degree                     Masters degree / ACCA B4 = No answer option should not be allowed B6 = Have you ever started a formal educational program which you stopped without completing? C1=  options to select should be: At most secondary level / Post secondary or equivalent /Tertiary education D30 = If at time of attending NON formal education respondent does not have a job, the answer = NO D33 – You cannot select more than one answer for every activity D44: question should read “Which one of the following entities paid for your tuition/books for the mentioned non-formal activities”? E2 = questions and GO TO’S