In today’s digital era, daily tasks like medical appointments and banking have shifted online, impacting the elderly as well. Additionally, the pandemic necessitated a challenging shift from physical to online courses, resulting in more than 60% dropouts due to computer literacy issues in the 50-70 adult age group.
Despite attempts to adapt, rapidly changing educational needs pose difficulties for teachers in training and adapting content. The centers’ educational offerings have not kept pace with the new skills required by the labor market, creating an urgent need to adapt to the demands of the 21st century.
The aforementioned indicate a need for an updated educational offering for adults hindered by the evolving nature of their needs not always being met. Additionally, there is insufficient adult participation in European programs, prompting the project to foster European identity and engagement.
Adult learning is an important aspect when it comes to digitalization and automation in the labor market. Employees need to adapt and, for example, learn new digital skills and in some cases reskill as some jobs will be eliminated due to technical development. Adult learning should improve employability, boost innovation, ensure social fairness, and close the digital skills gap.
The Growing Need for Action
- At least 60 % of all adults should be participating in training every year by 2030 according to the “European Pillar of Social Right Action Plan”.
- 50% digital disparity has been recorded among adults.
- 75% disparity has been recorded among seniors in numerous European contexts.
- 60% of seniors have begun to use digital platforms to perform basic tasks, but do not consider themselves to have an acceptable level digitally.
- 33% of people in Europe do not have sufficient digital skills to carry out their work effectively.
- More than 60% dropouts due to computer literacy issues have been recorded in the target age group after the pandemic.
- 70% inadequate training, 75% insufficient tools, and 60% digitalization issues have been reported as dissatisfaction among teachers and training centers.
It is crucial to note that adult education in digitally related areas is extremely precarious, characterized by a lack of investment in renewal and dependence on outdated practices. Persistent adherence to traditional methods has left these centers ill-prepared to deal with the changing needs of the last decade, especially in the digital sphere. Given current societal trends, where basic digital skills are essential to perform tasks such as electronic banking and medical examinations, the absence of such skills results in the exclusion of individuals from crucial aspects of modern life. Moreover, school leaders and teachers acknowledge reduced attendance, digitalization gaps affecting rural students, and inadequate tools hindering effective use of European program funding as consequences of inadequate training, tools, and digitalization in adult education
An Adult Training Challenge
The project consortium has identified a need for modernization in adult education that arises from factors hindering an effective, stable process aligned with 21st-century needs. The preliminary study has revealed that digital competencies are a priority for improvement aiming to enhance student interest, and increased use of digital tools and skill development is crucial in updating training offers, as this improvement creates a domino effect, attracting more students and fulfilling diverse plan objectives. This confirms the real European-level need, revealing synergies with various plans and the potential to elevate the quality of studies and adult life, thus underscoring the project’s vital importance.
How XXIAdults Will Make a Difference
As never before has there been such a rapid and change in the needs of adults especially seniors, sometimes faster than the adaptation of Adult Education to these needs, this age group needs to see its educational offer updated. To meet the aim of the adaptation of adult education centers to the needs of the 21st century, XXIAdults aims to produce change in partner organizations and other stakeholders that is focused on the organizational level. This will be achieved by developing the following key resources that constitute a comprehensive toolkit:
- A training Guide & Assessment Tool: A practical resource for adult education centres to evaluate and reshape their training strategies in response to emerging trends.
- An institutional Action Plan: A strategic roadmap to help organizations modernize their governance and better serve communities, especially those at risk of depopulation.
- Digital Skills Training: Implementation of targeted digital upskilling actions to enhance the quality of life and employment prospects for adult learners.
These resources will be utilized by adult education across Europe to enhance and align centers with the demands of the 21st century.
