People with higher levels of education are more interested in seizing opportunities for training, according to a Statbel adult education survey published on Thursday.
Such programmes also enjoy more popularity among individuals who have previously participated in training courses, the Belgian statistical office adds.
Statbel questioned 8,274 individuals aged between 18 and 69 on their previous course participation and their interest in future courses. The survey targeted both formal education – such as bachelors or masters programmes, language courses or vocational training – and informal learning outside the regular education framework.
The findings reveal that 13.6% of the population pursued formal education last year and 34.3% took part in non-formal learning. Women were more likely to participate in any kind of training.
Where training provided within the regular education system was concerned, younger adults (18-24 years old) were more likely to attend (67.4% of respondents) than older people (6.6%).
Increased participation in informal training (private courses, workplace training etc.) was noted among those with higher levels of education: 54.5% of respondents with a high level of education had taken part in such training, compared to 27.6% for those with a medium level, and 11.8% with a low level of education.
Among those who had never taken part in training, 88.6% said they did not wish to, believing they did not need it.
In contrast, 27.2% of those who had undergone training at some point wished to do so again.
Education levels play a role: the higher the level, the stronger the desire to continue learning, the researchers found.
Unsuitable timing of courses, personal reasons, health, family obligations, and the cost of the course were cited among the main reasons preventing people from becoming more involved in training.
