the european agenda for adult learning

The European Agenda for Adult Learning

MARK RAVENHALLSENIOR RESEARCH FELLOW

29 APRIL 2015

Context (1)

Context (2)

European policy

• Europe 2020

• “ET 2020”

• European Agenda for Adult Learning

5

2020 Benchmarks• At least 95% of children between the age of 4 & the age for

starting primary education in early childhood education • Share of 15-year olds with insufficient abilities in reading,

mathematics & science less than 15%• Share of early leavers from education and training less than

10%• Share of 30-34 year olds with tertiary educational

attainment at least 40%• Average of at least 15 % of adults (age group 25-64)

participating in Lifelong Learning

Participation

Likelihood of positive social and economic outcomes among highly literate adults

1.0

1.5

2.0

2.5

3.0

3.5

4.0

4.5

5.0Average England (UK)

(scoring at Level 4/5 compared with those scoring at Level 1 or below)

Odds ratio

European Agenda for Adult Learning – priority areas

1. Making lifelong learning and mobility a reality2. Improving the quality and efficiency of

education and training3. Promoting equity, social cohesion and active

citizenship through adult learning4. Enhancing the creativity and innovation of adult

and their learning environments5. Improving the knowledge base on adult learning

and monitoring the adult learning sector

What NIACE is working on

• Linking adult learning to wider social and economic policy in the UK;

• Raising awareness of the value of adult learning to UK citizens; and

• Increasing participation of low skilled or less well qualified adults.

Our programme of work

• Measuring the economic and social impact of adult learning

• Impact Forums in each of the UK nations• Linking the OECD Adult Skills Survey with

surveys in the UK• Developing a Citizens’ Curriculum• Enhancing digital skills• Employability skills for young adults

Policy and Practice

UK Partners

• NIACE (England)• Forum for Adult

Learning Northern Ireland

• Scotland’s Learning Partnership

• NIACE Cymru (Wales)• British Council/Ecorys• EPALE UK

European Basic Skills Network, EBSN ?

• independent policy network • a meeting place for policy makers

and policy influencers• a platform for a continuous dialogue

and cooperation with the EU Commission

• 67 members from 29 European countries, + 5 associate members from outside of Europe

What is

Zoltan Varkonyi / EBSN, Member of EC

To create a sustainable organisation

• Membership is open• Annual Collaborative

Workshop: The Hague: June 3 –5

• www.basicskills.eu

• @EBSNhq

Zoltan Varkonyi / EBSN, Member of EC

Fostering policy development at EU level!

Working with EPALE• Sharing news, information, events, publications, and

practice. Hearing about project-based discussions and the impact of adult learning

• Learning from each other, about new developments in the

sector, results of research etc. • Advocating on behalf of professionals and learners,

initiatives or launch online debates/discussions. Giving voice to concerns or issues of European or national relevance—and backing this up with evidence!

For further information about the work of NIACE or ESBN please contact:

Joyce Black, Assistant Director, NIACE.

joyce.black@niace.org.uk

Contact details