The whys and wherefores of older people learning; Launch semina

Thursday 6 September 2007

Venue: NIACE, Renaissance House, 20 Princess Road West, Leicester LE1 6TP

The seminar launches the NIACE publication 'What older people learn: the whys and wherefores of older people learning'. For education providers, funders and policy makers this will be a useful opportunity to hear about an authoritative scientific study of older learners, part of NIACE's series of annual surveys on adult participation in learning. All participants will receive a free copy of the publication.

The publication:

• examines their subjects of study, motivations to learn, ways of finding out about and getting to learning
• reports on the benefits they perceive, the ways they learn and their views on qualifications and fees 
• identifies the key barriers to learning, the effects of illness and disability and access to technology.

Encouraging adult learning in all its forms is under threat; it is important to listen to those who benefit to help us better understand how the complex and broad ways of learning, particularly in later life, is valued.

Learning matters in later life. It enables older workers to sustain their productiveness in the workplace and adapt their experience and skills to changing contexts.

Older workers matter and the age of retirement is increasing. Moving away from paid work is becoming more of a prolonged process and less of an abrupt transformation.

People who carry on learning lead healthier lives. Learning reduces morbidity and delays the effects of Alzheimer's on learners social interactions.

Older people are civically active. More people like to vote and they are usually the mainstay of voluntary organisations.

The event will be of particular interest to Practitioners, managers and policymakers in adult learning and educational researchers in general. The conference is aimed at:

• Employers
  
• FE colleges and local authority providers
  
• Organisations and individuals considering future prospects for supplying adult learning or skills
  
• Regional Development Agencies
  
• Sector Skills Councils
  
• Trades Unions
  
• Voluntary and community sector organisations with an interest in lifelong learning
  
• Work-based learning suppliers working with adults
  

Arrival/Registration is at 9.45am and the event will end at 12.30pm

The event fee is £35 per person (including a copy of the publication).

For further details and to reserve a place, look up: http://www.niace.org.uk/conferences/Conferences.htm 

Enquiries to Gurjit Kaur on 0116 204 2833; e-mail: gurjit.kaur@niace.org.uk