Page 32 - Learning-while-working-Success-stories-on-workplace-learning-in-Europe

Learning while working
26 Success stories on workplace learning in Europe

2.3. To be trained or not to be trained:
the employee perspective

2.3.1. Who participates in formal or non-formal education
and training? Facts and figures
According to the last Adult education survey, which covers participation in lifelong
learning, including job-related activities, nearly two thirds of the European Union
population could not participate in learning opportunities, either formal or non-
formal (Eurostat, 2009a). In the survey, interviewees were asked to report the
main obstacle for not participating in education and training during the last 12
months. Family responsibilities were the main barrier to participation for 23%
of individuals, and conflict with work schedule for 22%. The third most frequent
impediment was cost (training was too expensive or difficult to afford), which
was reported by an average of 15% of adults in Europe, with country differences
ranging from 5% in Cyprus to 43% in Bulgaria, as shown in Figure 1.

Figure 1. Main obstacles for not participating
in education and training, 2007

% of adults not participating in education and training that reported cost
as the main obstacle for not participating, 2007
50
Lack of prerequisite No
43 4% Other answer
Lack of
40 employers 16% 3%
35 support Family
5% Distance responsibilities
6%
23%
30 29 29 29 28 Work
Health or age Cost schedule
6% 15% 22%
20
20 17 17
15 15 15
12 12 12 11 11
10 8 8
5
0
BG PL LT EE SI LV SK AT DE SE EU GR ES NL PT CZ UK FI BE CY
Source: Eurostat, Adult education survey 2007, date of extraction 1.2.2010.
Note: National figures are currently available for 18 countries.
Data for Slovenia are provisional. E.U: estimation.

Only 28% of those in low-skilled blue-collar professions participate in learning
activities, as shown in Table 1. Adults with the highest level of education
attainment tend to participate much more in education and training.