More variety needed in adult learning opportunities

10:55 3rd June 2009

Adults over the age of 25 deserve more variation in learning opportunities available to them, according to a report from the University of Stirling.

The report was commissioned by the Independent Inquiry into the Future for Lifelong Learning and suggests that older adults can gain as much from learning opportunities as younger people.

John Field, professor of lifelong learning at the University of Stirling, said that there needs to be a shift to accommodate older adults in learning opportunities, even if the only immediate benefits are in helping individuals keep active.

Mr Field said: "[Learning] certainly does have a positive impact and it is not entirely clear why some of that is. Some of it is fairly obvious, for example people tend to get out more and that is a good thing obviously."

Opportunities such as computer training can help people to boost their skills sets and improve their job security in the current climate.

Less than 20 per cent of UK adults are currently on learning courses, according to the National Institute of Adult Continuing Education.