This report summarises the outcomes of the first (micro) phase of the thematic country review (TCR) on upskilling pathways in Italy. It reflects the perspectives of both the beneficiaries of the approaches considered and the actors involved in their implementation. The TCR focuses on outreach, guidance, tailored learning and on the crosscutting…

This report summarises the outcomes of the first (micro) phase of the thematic country reviews (TCRs) on upskilling pathways in France, which reflect the points of view of both the beneficiaries of the outreach and guidance schemes and services under investigation, and the professionals involved in their implementation. The TCR on upskilling…

The need for adult education and training (AET) is substantial, as labour markets require advanced skills. We used data from the Programme for the International Assessment of Adult Competencies (PIAAC) for Canada, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, and the United States (U.S.) to compare participation in AET by high- and low-skilled adults.…

Across the OECD, the labour-market performance of foreign-born-adults tends to lag behind that of the native-born. Immigrants are not only more likely to be unemployed or inactive, but they also earn less and work in lower-skilled jobs. Differences in skills proficiency, language spoken and country of education explain a large part--albeit not the…

Accelerated aging trend has become a serious issue in meeting workforce demand in many developing and developed countries. Various workplace interventions have been sought to address this issue. The purpose of this study is to examine the extent that there is a typology of older workers whose skill proficiency and skill utilization are influenced…

The purpose of this study was to investigate non-formal vocational training program in fostering self employment in small scale industries in Oromia Regional State. In the regional state, unskilled man power is one of the major problems at lower level despite the growth of small business. The small business usually requires people trained in…

This paper contributes to debates around social mobility and social capital by exploring the links between social class background, assistance from non-parental personal contacts for finding employment, and social class destination. The literature on social mobility, social capital and social networks is reviewed, drawing a conceptual distinction…

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to examine the distribution of learning and training opportunities in the Finnish workforce. It will concentrate on the sectors of the workforce that lack these opportunities. Design/Methodology/Approach: The Working Conditions Barometer (WCB) data from 2008, 2009 and 2010 are used (N = 3,326) in this…

This study explored drivers of participation in job-related lifelong learning (LLL) among low-educated mature-aged employees and compared them across four Nordic countries. Workplaces can be low-threshold, effective arenas for development of their skills in work and learning. The paper builds on the Bounded Agency Model and theories of learning…

In this paper we propose and discuss a framework for analysing adults' work competences while construing mathematics-containing "themes" in two workplace settings: road haulage and nursing. The data consist of videos and transcribed interviews from the work of two lorryloaders, and a nurses' aide at an orthopaedic department. In the…

Adults' motivation to participate in continued education is of immediate interest, as lifelong learning is now considered as the solution to the pressing problems of increased levels of unemployment, not least among unskilled workers. Many theories concerning motivation and adult education maintain that individuals are innately motivated to learn,…

The "other" flexible work force includes the unemployed and low-wage, part-time, temporary, and seasonal workers who are flexible but not by choice. The new labor market may be limited in terms of demand for high skills but may have great need for unskilled, disposable workers. (SK)

A study of unskilled workers (n=60) investigated interests and work satisfaction in those who tend to leave school early and fall into jobs. Results were inconclusive because a number of complex issues contribute to the satisfaction or dissatisfaction of these workers. (JOW)

De-industrialisation and the development of the "service economy" have had a profound impact on the nature of work and employment in contemporary Britain. Theories of post- and reflexive modernity argue that individuals are able to reflexively reconstruct their identities in line with new social and workplace requirements. Yet,…

A review of the relevant literature, which is the first of two parts of this study, found that the existing literature is sparse and presents a fragmented picture of the information environment of the blue collar adult. The second part was a pilot survey, undertaken to probe this information environment, and consisted of intensive living room…