The European Commission has published a new synthesis report on the current situation of national adult learning policies and systems across the EU-28. The document brings together the findings from a set of country reports updated in 2017.

The newly published paper reflects on the complex adult learning policy and financing frameworks, national targets and interventions, as well as their strengths and weaknesses and the reforms needed in the systems that are in place in EU Member States. The report brings together the findings from a set of country reports that were previously completed for each Member State by a set of country experts. ‘It contributes to increasing the evidence base on adult learning systems in the EU, which is an essential pre-requisite for assessing their effectiveness, impact and responsiveness to adult learning needs,’ the Commission says.

The scope of the new report is mainly focused on the issues that interact with public sector involvement rather than understanding, for example, how companies can increase the effectiveness of employee training or what motivates individuals to take up extra learning. In summarising ‘what exists’ in terms of adult learning across Europe, it also reviews how adult learning policies and systems compare across the EU-28.

Some of the strengths of national adult learning systems identified in the report include the degree to which agencies and institutions worked together across the areas of governance, regulation and provision as part of a multi-agency model. On the other hand, the main areas emerging as weaknesses were the complexity of the provider landscape, insufficient funding and limitations around the use of data to inform the development of policy and provision.

Access the full synthesis report