Latest News: Learner Voice Survey Findings Published
In collaboration with CLD, the Adult Learners’ Forum for Aberdeenshire (ALFA) co-designed a survey and consulted community-based learners, both in person and online, during May and June 2024. The goal of the survey was to explore the benefits, barriers, concerns and aspirations surrounding community-based adult learning.
A total of 58 adults from all six administrative areas of Aberdeenshire participated in the consultation. The key findings emphasise the crucial role that community-based adult learning plays for all respondents.
Respondents highlighted numerous benefits of adult learning, including increased confidence, improved mental health and wellbeing, the acquisition and application of new skills, attainment of new qualifications and certificates, and enhanced employability prospects.
However, significant barriers to accessing community-based adult learning were also identified. These included limited awareness of available opportunities, the lack of suitable programmes, as well as practical challenges such as transportation, childcare, and poor digital connectivity or access to necessary equipment.
Participants expressed their aspirations for the future of adult learning, including:
- “Adult learning needs to be more visible. We searched everywhere and couldn’t find much information about it.”
- “Let’s remove the stigma surrounding adult education and make it accessible to everyone, regardless of background or occupation—whether it’s someone working in the fields or a person employed in a factory.”
For more insights into learners’ views on community-based adult learning, please refer to the six area-specific reports available in the documents section of this project page.
