Adult educators as lifelong learners in Singapore: factors influencing lifelong learning participation and professional growth

Lifelong learning is pivotal for developing future-oriented capabilities required for addressing the challenges in the rapidly changing world of work and other areas of life. This paper firmly positions adult educators as integral lifelong learners and explore the intricate interplay between personal and environmental factors. These factors include education, age, gender, lifelong learning beliefs, self-efficacy, employment status, industry experience, income, professional development support, and the type of employer they are associated with. Our primary aim is to unravel the intricate connections between adult educators’ engagement in lifelong learning and these personal and environmental factors, thereby paving the way for a more strategic and informed approach to bolstering their professional development and capabilities. We harness data from the first nationwide survey on adult educators in Singapore focusing on their work-related learning activities and non-work-related learning activities. The findings highlight the importance of understanding the roles of personal and environmental factors to support lifelong learning and professional development. By taking an integrative approach, this paper advances the existing body of knowledge on adult education and learning on the determinants of learning activities amongst adult educators. It acknowledges the indispensable significance of both work-related and non-work-related learning, and also sheds light on the often-neglected realm of informal learning. In doing so, it provides a more comprehensive framework for examining skill development that considers a broader spectrum of factors and outcomes beyond individual economic benefits.