Adult education and the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic: an international perspective

2021 ◽  
Vol 23 (1) ◽  
pp. 201-210
Author(s):  
Oksana Dikhtyar ◽  
Abigail Helsinger ◽  
Phyllis Cummins
Keyword(s):  
Adult Education ◽  
Secondary Students ◽  
Education And Training ◽  
International Perspective ◽  
Displaced Workers ◽  
Skilled Workers ◽  
Post Secondary ◽  
The Great Depression ◽  
International Experts ◽  
And Training

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused one of the worst economic crises since the Great Depression. Although countries responded quickly to support displaced workers with assistance packages and funding for education and training, additional measures might be needed. Each country's economic recovery will most likely depend on how well its workforce is prepared to meet the needs of the changed labour market. Providing workers with opportunities to upskill or reskill is of major importance in meeting these challenges and improving low- and middle-skilled workers' re-employment prospects. This qualitative study examines measures taken in response to COVID19 in adult education and training (AET) in seven countries. The findings are based on key informant interviews with international experts and online sources they provided. Some countries have increased government funding for vocational and continuing education or offered financial support for post-secondary students while others have provided funds to employers to offer training and retraining for their employees.

scholarly journals An International Perspective on the Impacts of COVID-19 on Adult Education and Training

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 147-147
Author(s):  
Oksana Dikhtyar ◽  
Abigail Helsinger ◽  
Phyllis Cummins ◽  
Nytasia Hicks
Keyword(s):  
Labor Market ◽  
Adult Education ◽  
Secondary Students ◽  
Older Workers ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
The United States ◽  
Education And Training ◽  
International Perspective ◽  
Policy And Practice ◽  
And Training

Abstract The COVID-19 pandemic has caused one of the worst economic crises since the Great Depression and the current recession has been more detrimental to older workers compared to other age groups. Not only has it forced more older workers out of their jobs, but it has also made it much harder for jobless older workers to find a new job. Furthermore, due to increased automation and digitalization in the workplace, older workers will likely need upskilling or reskilling to improve their employment prospects in the changed labor market. This situation brings the importance of offering training and continuous education programs that target older workers to the forefront of adult education policy and practice. This qualitative study examines measures taken in response to COVID-19 in adult education and training (AET) in seven countries including Sweden, Norway, the Netherlands, Australia, Singapore, Canada, and the United States. The findings are based on key informant interviews with international policy experts and scholars in the field of AET in addition to information gathered from written materials (e.g., government and organizational reports). To expedite their economic recovery and improve labor market outcomes for their workers, some countries have increased government funding for vocational and continuing education or offered financial support for post-secondary students while others have provided funds to employers to offer training and retraining for their employees. Some of these measures have the potential to expand adult educational opportunities in the post-pandemic world. Implications for policy and practiced are discussed.

scholarly journals The benefits of exposing post-secondary students to entrepreneurship training in Trinidad and Tobago

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Abede Jawara Mack ◽  
Daniel White ◽  
Osiris Senghor
Keyword(s):  
Trinidad And Tobago ◽  
Vocational Education ◽  
Secondary Students ◽  
Entrepreneurship Education ◽  
Education And Training ◽  
Vocational Education And Training ◽  
Post Secondary ◽  
Technical Vocational Education ◽  
Entrepreneurial Training ◽  
And Training

AbstractTechnical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) serves as a pillar for economic stability globally. Entrepreneurship education provides young people with essential skills that can be used in a positive manner, thus enabling them to be employers rather than employees. Marrying TVET and entrepreneurship education can help Trinidad and Tobago (T&T) in tremendous ways. These two subjects TVET and entrepreneurship can lift T&T to global prestige. Given this context, the study explored the benefits of exposing Post-Secondary TVET students to entrepreneurial training. An investigation was carried out using a mix-methods approach. The use of regression analysis and Spearman’s Correlation Analysis were used that determine the relationship between exposing Post-Secondary Technical Vocational Education and Training Students (PSTVETS) to entrepreneurship education and their interest in entrepreneurial training. Additionally, qualitative data was incorporated by utilising content analysis, focus groups and semi-structured interviews. The data revealed there was an absence of entrepreneurship education. Upon further investigation there was no real entrepreneurship culture or framework implemented within the PS schools. The results also showed the more students are exposed to entrepreneurship education more they are inclined to pursue entrepreneurship endeavours. Data also allowed the reader to grasped copious challenges experienced within TVET in T&T, that impacts on entrepreneurial training within post-secondary institutions in T&T. The researchers put forward an entrepreneurship education model that can be incorporated in the training of post-secondary schools. Additionally a strategy was articulated as to how entrepreneurship education can be adopted within the training of post-secondary institutions. Providing an adequate framework for entrepreneurial training within entrepreneurship education, and TVET provides originality and contribution to the field of TVET and entrepreneurship education.

scholarly journals Challenges to Engage Low-Skilled Adults in Education and Training: An International Perspective

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 389-389
Author(s):  
Sydney Shadovitz ◽  
Abigail Helsinger ◽  
Phyllis Cummins
Keyword(s):  
The Netherlands ◽  
Life Course ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Formal Education ◽  
Education And Training ◽  
International Perspective ◽  
Skilled Workers ◽  
Policies And Programs ◽  
The Life Course ◽  
And Training

Abstract The demand for adult education and training (AET) opportunities throughout the life course is substantial as labor markets often require workers to obtain advanced skills. AET opportunities are more often pursued by high-income and high-skilled workers than low-skilled or low-income workers. With the increased prominence of job automation and technological advances in the workforce, low-skilled workers are at risk for fewer opportunities within the labor market. These factors emphasize the importance of providing learning opportunities throughout the life course. In this mixed-methods study, we analyzed 2012/2014 data from the Program for the International Assessment of Adult Competencies (PIAAC) for the U.S., Canada, the Netherlands, Norway, and Sweden to compare participation rates in non-formal education (NFE) by high and low-skilled adults. Countries were selected based on qualitative findings that inform best practices. Additionally, to gain insights of policies and programs that promote NFE, international key informant interviews (n = 33) were conducted. AET policies and programs, along with barriers such as cost, motivation, and time, were explored with key informants. Findings include (1) aging and skills are negatively correlated in all nations of interest; (2) low-skilled adults are less likely to participate in NFE than their high-skilled counterparts; (3) low-skilled workers in Norway and the Netherlands are more likely to participate in NFE than their U.S. counterparts; and (4) NFE is often more acceptable to low-skilled adults due to previous negative experiences with formal education. Using these findings, we discuss successful AET programs in Nordic countries for overcoming barriers.

Determinants of participating in training: a Canadian-based analysis

2017 ◽  
Vol 37 (1/2) ◽  
pp. 69-85
Author(s):  
Robert Weaver ◽  
Nazim Habibov
Keyword(s):  
Adult Education ◽  
Education And Training ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Post Secondary ◽  
Policy Paradigm ◽  
Statistics Canada ◽  
Time Changes ◽  
Developed Nations ◽  
The Impact ◽  
And Training

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to estimate and compare the across-time individual and contextual factors influencing the participation of Canadian residents in adult education and training during the 1990s and the early twenty-first century. This era is characterized by the social investment state (SIS), a policy paradigm adopted by various developed nations throughout the world, including Canada, during the latter part of the twentieth century. Design/methodology/approach The authors analyzed data obtained from the 1994, 1998, and 2003 versions of the Adult Education and Training Survey, which is administered by Statistics Canada. They employed binomial logit regression so as to predict the likelihood of the respondents participating in training. Findings Participants whose level of education was below the post-secondary level were less likely to participate in training, as were adult residents of households in which pre-school children also lived. These findings occurred across all three periods of data collection. Furthermore, urban residents exhibited an increasingly greater likelihood to participate in training across-time. Research limitations/implications Future studies should consider the funding source for training, be it from the public or private sector, and how this may affect participation. The impact that various types of training have on employment and earning patterns in developed nations should also be further assessed. Originality/value This study, with its use of the most recent available data to analyze across-time changes in the determinants of participating in training in Canada, has contributed to the knowledge base regarding the SIS in Canada and how it compares to its European counterparts.

scholarly journals Domestic and International Perspectives on Financing Adult Education and Training

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 389-390
Author(s):  
Abigail Helsinger ◽  
Oksana Dikhtyar ◽  
Phyllis Cummins ◽  
Nytasia Hicks
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Adult Education ◽  
Adult Learners ◽  
Low Income ◽  
The United States ◽  
Education And Training ◽  
Technological Advancement ◽  
Middle Aged ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
And Training

Abstract Adult education and training (AET) over the life-course is necessary to participate in economic, social, and political activities in the time of globalization and technological advancement. However, little research has been done to identify mechanisms to fund AET opportunities among middle-aged and older adults from a comparative international perspective. Our study aimed to identify strategies to finance AET opportunities for middle-aged and older adults through an international lens, to help identify barriers and facilitators in effort to best support adult learners regardless of education background or socioeconomic characteristics. We carried out a descriptive qualitative study to facilitate an in-depth understanding of funding mechanisms available to adult learners in the selected countries, from the perspective of adult education and policy experts. Data were collected using semi-structured interviews with 61 international adult education experts from government agencies, non-governmental organizations, and education institutions. Our informants represented 10 countries including Australia, Canada, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Singapore, Sweden, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Data included at least one in-depth phone or web-based qualitative interview per informant in addition to information gathered from written materials (e.g., peer-reviewed publications and organizational reports). We identified three financing options that arose as themes: government-sponsored funding; employer-sponsored funding; and self-funding. We found that government-sponsored funding is especially important for low-skilled, low-income older adults for whom employer-sponsored or self-funding is not available. Our results have implications for lifelong AET policy changes, such as adaptations of successful AET funding programs across global communities.

scholarly journals Education and Training for the Fourth Industrial Revolution

2020 ◽  
Vol 26 (1) ◽  
pp. 83-93
Author(s):  
Georg Spoettl ◽  
Vidmantas Tūtlys
Keyword(s):  
Industrial Revolution ◽  
Empirical Studies ◽  
Education And Training ◽  
Vocational Education And Training ◽  
Skilled Workers ◽  
Real Time Control ◽  
Work Processes ◽  
Time Control ◽  
Implementation Level ◽  
And Training

Within the context of the 4th Industrial Revolution as an overall paradigm change, organization and work processes must switch together with automation following and real-time control. This applies to the contents of labor and to the interaction and connection between human and technology. Up to this point, there are only a few empirical studies about how digitized, decentralized and closely connected production system with "Cyber-Physical-Systems" change the task and and competence profiles in the workplace. One outcome will be that intelligent workpieces will manage their way into production themselves. Depending on the implementation level of Industry 4.0 in companies, vocational education and training for the workforce is highly relevant and the vocational systems have to respond to the needs and expectations of the new technological challenges. Successful reactions of the vocational systems towards the 4th Industrial Revolution have to focus on curriculum development, teacher training and training of highly skilled workers. Approaches to fulfill these requirements will be discussed in this paper.

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