Editorial Comment:

Focus of study

The NALS gathered data from 5,000 adults who were asked about their participation in,and attitudes towards taught and non-taught learning over a three-year period. Both vocational and non-vocational learning were included.

Key findings

The survey identified lack of information about learning opportunities as one factor in discouraging participation in learning. 20% of non-learners said they knew very little about the learning opportunities available to them locally and 10% that they would like to do some learning but could not find the right opportunity. NALS also indicated that lack of knowledge about sources of IAG was also a deterrent, with 13% of non-learners saying they would not know where to go for information and advice if they decided to do some learning.

Around one third of learners and 5% of non-learners had received careers or educational advice in the past 3 years, and they had used a range of sources including employers, colleges, universities, Jobcentres and careers services. NALS suggests that guidance may not be fulfilling a motivational role very adequately as 85% of learners found the advice and guidance they had received to be useful, whilst only 57% of non-learners were of the same opinion.

Additional Comments

The survey was designed to identify issues around participation in learning specifically, rather than guidance. However, findings suggest that improved guidance provision might contribute to greater participation in learning. NALS also highlights the difficulty of assessing the value of guidance when a distinction is not always made between different elements of guidance (information, advice and in-depth guidance) and the different sources of guidance.