New research just released by Saga to coincide with adult learners’ week reveals that older learners still have a thirst for knowledge and self-improvement.
Seven in ten (71 per cent) of those that have taken a course over the past five years have done so to improve their skills, and with many over 50s now working well into their late 60s many are looking to gain new skills, or polish up existing ones to help them in the workplace.
A further five per cent who haven’t yet managed to enrol in a course plan to do so.
Interestingly women over 50 are significantly more likely to want to gain new skills than their male counterparts with 40 per cent of women doing so compared to 24 per cent of men.
Whilst many are going into adult education to gain new skills (71 per cent) or to help them with their hobby (48 per cent), a third are also doing so to make new friends and acquaintances – with many life-long friendships formed whilst on the course.
A Saga spokesman said: “Going into education when you’re older can often be a daunting prospect, but for those that take the plunge it can be enormously rewarding.
“Not only can you learn something new or broaden your understanding of a hobby or interest, many people also find that they make life-long friendships in the process.
“For too long lifelong learning has been a trite phrase.
“With longer working lives there has never been a better time for employers and politicians to ensure it’s truly embedded in the way that training and education opportunities are created and maintained for people of all ages.”
