Taking an adult education program can be the gateway to a new career or that all-important promotion. No matter what field you’re in, learning new skills is the key to branching out and moving forwards. However, since 2010, the number of adult learners or mature students has plummeted by nearly 4 million1. And unfortunately, there seems to be an increasing drop off in adult learners past the age of 40. For example, in the UK just over a half of mature students are aged between 21 and 24, 38% between 25 and 39, and just 10% are over 40 when they commence an adult education course2. So, it’s clear that once we reach a certain age, the less likely we will take part in adult education. The question is, why? We’re here to help you realise that age is just a number when it comes to adult education.
Adult education across the world
No matter where you’re from, the key role of adult education is to allow you to develop your skills or acquire new ones. Learning throughout life means you have the chance to constantly evolve and ensure you stay employable well past retirement age. It’s true, adult learners around the world take courses for a number of different reasons. They may want to develop themselves, get a recognised qualification, improve their skills, gain knowledge on a certain subject or just because they enjoy learning. However, the one thing every adult learner does have in common is the fact that they are giving themselves the best chance of success. In fact, it’s widely acknowledged that more people employed in managerial, professional and associate professional occupations have taken part in formal training, compared to those employed in intermediate, routine and manual occupations. Therefore, no matter where you’re from, it’s clear people who develop themselves have a better chance of career progression.
So, what’s stopping you?
For mature students, taking an adult education course is a big commitment. The truth is, studying takes time, money and energy, which can be hard to come by when you already work a full-time job or have a family to look after. So, you need to know you’re going to reap the rewards for all your hard work, right? Not to worry. The team here at Academy of Learning have put our heads together and come up with the five benefits for the mature student. Enjoy!
Why age is just a number when it comes to adult education
Many people believe that once you’ve reached a certain age you’re simply too old to study. We’re here to tell you what utter nonsense that is. You’re never too old to learn! In fact, mature students often have the real-life experiences, discipline and motivations that make them perfect for adult education. So, to prove that an old dog can learn new tricks, here are five benefits to adult education for the more mature student:
1. Learning keeps the mind stimulated as you get older
Yep, that’s right! It’s proven that learning new skills and adopting new technologies can help improve your memory, benefit reactions and actually reduce or delay cognitive changes associated to ageing!
2. Aid In Career Progression
Stepping into adult education allows individuals – at any age – a chance to learn new skills and explore new opportunities. So, why not step out of your comfort zone and equip yourself with the skills required to progress in your current career?
3. Great for career changers
Mature students often have a clearer idea of what they want to achieve in life. If you’re stuck in a rut and want to switch careers, adult education could be the answer to all your problems. Returning to education also demonstrates to potential employers that you are willing to work and to adapt to new challenges.
4. Meet new people
An adult education course is great for meeting like-minded individuals. It allows you to share your experiences, perspective and ideas with other students. And who knows, you may meet a friend for life!
5. Keep up to date with current trends
Over the past year, how people work, communicate, travel and even study has been altered forever. AI and VR are no longer science fiction, they’re here and being used in everyday life. An adult education course can ensure you keep up to date with the constantly evolving technological world.
An Academy of Learning Career College, we pride ourselves on being an inclusive training organization. So, no matter your age we can guarantee there’s no intimidating classroom atmosphere or competition! We ensure a comfortable, safe and friendly learning environment for all adult learners. We also recognize that being able to train around your hectic schedule is important for mature students. Therefore, we provide flexible training hours and online learning to allow you to earn a diploma or certificate with minimal disruption to your daily schedule. You’ll be able to balance your education with your employment and your family. With our continuous enrolment, it is never too late for you to start, so why not get in touch with your local campus now?
- Learning and Work institute, 2019, Adult Participation in Learning Survey 2019
- UCAS, Mature students guide