Patterns and trends in part-time adult education participation in relation to UK nation, class, place of participation, gender, age and disability, 1998-2003

Abstract

Analysis of data from six years of the British Household Panel Survey (1998-2003) has been used to look at variances in take-up of part time learning opportunities by adults over time in the UK and, separately, by its four constituent nations. The paper provides a useful backdrop of 'facts and figures' on patterns of take-up in part time education and training over the first six years of Labour Governments. Whilst the home-international comparisons show differences in terms of general levels of participation they show similar patterns of participation along gender and class lines. Apart from evidencing a steep upturn in the take-up of home-based learning amongst women, a persistent finding was how little had changed over this six year period in terms of removing barriers that position some as disadvantaged and others as advantaged.