Examining barriers to participation in further and continuing education in Germany: why a regional perspective is (still) important

Morris, T.H ORCID: 0000-0002-0100-6434, Steinmüller, B and Rohs, M (2022) 'Examining barriers to participation in further and continuing education in Germany: why a regional perspective is (still) important.' International Review of Education, 68. pp. 551-577. ISSN 0020-8566

[img]
Preview
Text
14949.pdf - Accepted Version
Repository Terms Apply.

Download (999kB) | Preview
Official URL: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11159-022-09968-4

Abstract

Further and continuing education is not only important for individual employability, but also for regional development. Therefore, improving participation in further and continuing education and removing barriers to participation are key concerns of regional education governance. The present study was conducted in a peripheral region of Rhineland-Palatinate in western Germany, where the annual participation rate in continuing education is relatively low compared to other geographic areas in Germany. This quantitative study was designed to understand: (1) To what extent do adult learners engage in continuing education within their habitual lifelong learning process? (2) Which circumstantial factors influence their participation in continuing education? And (3) What are the barriers hindering their participation? The authors found that for two-thirds of adult learners, a precondition for their enrolment in a continuing education course was the satisfaction of both work-related and private life-related factors. The authors’ findings point towards the need for flexible study programmes which learners can fit to the demands of their work and life.

Item Type: Article
Keywords: adult learning, self-directed learning, further and continuing education, digital age, contextual conditions
Divisions: School of Education
Identification Number: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11159-022-09968-4
Date Deposited: 05 Sep 2022 13:57
Last Modified: 21 Sep 2023 01:40
URI / Page ID: https://researchspace.bathspa.ac.uk/id/eprint/14949
Request a change to this item or report an issue Request a change to this item or report an issue
Update item (repository staff only) Update item (repository staff only)