Age - analysis of results

The following analysis is based upon two age groups of respondents to the 2008 Lifelong Learning Index: the under and over 45s.

There is a marked difference in the rate of participation in lifelong learning by the over 45s and younger respondents, with 96% of the former and 77% of the latter having taken part in part time education or training.

The older age group appear to attach greater importance to the personal and social benefits of lifelong learning, as opposed to purely career-focussed motivations. 52% of over 45s believe ‘adult education is vital for personal development’, compared with 32% of under 45s. Older respondents identify benefits of adult education such as ‘social interactions’ (47% as opposed to 36% of under 45s) and ‘increased awareness of political or community issues’ (34% compared with 22% of younger respondents).

This trend is reinforced by attitudes toward the ‘community education methodology (e.g. group work)’ method of learning. Only 3% of under 45s identified it as their ‘preferred method of learning’, while it was selected by 17% of older people.

Unsurprisingly, given the greater period since they were in full time education, more over 45s cited issues such as ‘literacy: either reading/writing or computer literacy’ (14%) and ‘study skills’ (33%) as sources ‘of particular difficulty’, compared with 4% and 23% of under 45s respectively.

It appears that older respondents are determined to tackle the issue of developing IT literacy, with 26% most likely to take a course in Computers & IT, compared with just 10% of a more tech-savvy younger generation. Although the assumption that under 45s are more comfortable with IT is not supported by their response to Question 13: what is your preferred method of learning? Just 8% chose ‘E-learning, learning by computer’ as their answer, compared with 20% of over 45s.

Issues such as certification and the reputation of the course provider tended to mean more for the under 45s. 63% would be influenced by the ‘reputation of college/course provider’ when deciding to enrol on a course (46% of over 45s said the same), and 85% said certification is either a ‘significant factor’ or ‘the most important aspect of completing a course’. Conversely, a large proportion of over 45s (30%) said the type of award matters ‘very little – it is the course content that matters’.

Another noteworthy difference between the age groups was that 62% of over 45s are aware of adult learner supports such as the BTEI (Back to Education Initiative), the BTEA (Back to Education Allowance) and the Top-Up Grant; compared with just 37% of under 45s.