Published just ahead of Adult Learners' Week (12-18 May), the National Institute of Adult Continuing Education (NIACE) released headline findings from their 2012 Participation Survey on Friday 11 May 2012 revealing that 3 in 5 adults (62%) have not participated in learning in the last 3 years and over one-third (36%) have not participated at all since they left full-time education.
Speaking to Tony Blackburn on BBC Radio Berkshire, Newbury College Principal Dr Anne Murdoch explained that "one of the difficulties for adults is a lack of time" and also attributed cost as an obstacle to many adults continuing in education.
As the largest provider of adult education in West Berkshire, Newbury College is helping adults to return to education with cost effective Bite Size courses in many popular subjects that offer new skills in short three-hour sessions.
Whist 3 in 5 adults are not participating at the present time, Dr Murdoch said that it is important to note that "2 in 5 adults are engaged in education with 115,000 over 60s currently enjoying being students".
Adult education is "a very good way to make new friends" and in the current economic climate, new skills are a valuable investment for career progression and opening new opportunities in business.