1.5 Million Fewer Adult Learners
In recent years there has been a dramatic drop in the numbers of adults in further education, right across the board from local evening classes to full time degree courses. How things have changed, not so long ago the government "made a long-term commitment to education from the cradle to the grave."

Recent NIACE surveys indicate there are 1.5 million fewer adults now in further education than four years ago. This is a result of government cut backs, coupled with soaring fee increases.There are less opportunities for workers to upgrade their work skills through further education, less encouragement especially for older people who may wish to change careers later in life.

CALL - the Campaigning Alliance for Lifelong was formed in September 2008 ( IDF50 was a founder member) to fight the rising charges and course cut backs in adult education. http://www.callcampaign.org.uk

Concessions Withdrawn
Ironically the new "Age Discrimination" legislation is penalising older learners and older workers. Colleges have withdrawn concessions/fee benefits to older learners deeming the benefits to be discrimatory under the new "Age Discrimination"act. This misinterpretation of the act was broadcast loud and clear by NIACE of all people and has resulted in long established fee reductions for older learners disappearing and never likely to return.

NIACE is now consulting with the past and producing a document with Age Concern and Help The Aged. Although the latter organisations help the very old, they are out of touch with the older sector who still require vocational training. Age Concern recently tried to come up to date and lost over £5 million on trying to establish its trendy Heyday brand.

In the present climate there is no chance of this or the next government pumping vast sums into adult education. Nursery to university everyone is being squeezed. We mustn't forget the world has also changed with more online learning available and organisations such as the University of the Third Age becoming more and more popluar for non-vocational learning.

There are still a few universities and colleges offering concessionary rates to older learners. City University in London provides fee reductions for a maximum of 3 places to OAP's on each of it's courses. Ideally it would be great if this age limit could be brought down to 55 - with a limit of 3 places per course there is little financial loss to the University.

Although a great deal of help and training is available to younger workers, it is harder for older workers to obtain similar assistance and many who lose their jobs at 50 plus never get back into employment.

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