Older people's learning needs have been neglected

The recession and rising unemployment has produced an unexpected rethink of changes needed in providing learning opportunities throughout our lives.

People are living much longer and it is anticipated that many more will live some way past their hundredth birthday. However, it is a sad fact that learning opportunities exist mainly for the under 25s and are largely centred around employment.

For 18 to 24s there is a budget of over £8,000 for each individual for providing education and training. But for over 25s there is just £300 for each person up to the age of 50, £86 for 50 to 75s and a mere £60 for an adult over 75.

To address the lack of budget and opportunity for older people to continue learning in the latter part of their lives an independent 290-page report called Learning Through Life was published on Thursday, 17 September 2009. It is part of the two-year Independent Inquiry into the Future for Lifelong Learning, sponsored by NIACE, the National Institute for Continuing Adult Education. It proposes that the present annual budget of an estimated £55 billion for lifelong learning is examined as to how it can be redistributed more evenly amongst all the demographics. A re-investment of this money would enrich society with all the age groups benefiting from lifelong learning.

Learning new skills and gaining new knowledge has the knock-on effect of equipping people particularly the disadvantaged, old and sick to cope with the various social, economic and technological changes in society that we all face at different stages in our lives. It is time for a big change as society moves forward relentlessly and all adults need to acquire greater skills and knowledge to keep up and remain independent, successful and fulfilled. If so, they are not so likely to be socially and economically excluded in older age and not to be a burden on the state as they will be happier using their abilities and talents, and therefore far less likely to suffer from health problems common to old age.

The report proposes that out of the total budget 33.2 billion be used for people over 25, with entitlements "to learn across four stages of life" including 50 to 75 and post 75. Advice and guidance will be available to everyone who needs it and "no distinction made between full-time and part-time study". There should be flexible systems of learning - appropriate especially for older people - and opportunities for everyone to develop their talents and abilities through "digital, health, financial and civic education".

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