First Horizontal Axis: The Extensification of AET

This chapter examines the development of Adult Education and Training (AET) within Central European (CE) countries, with a particular focus on the relationship between participation rates and the volume of training provided. Initially, ALSs in CE countries were marked by lower participation rates accompanied by moderate amounts of training hours, especially when compared to the higher participation seen in Nordic countries and the UK. However, over time, CE nations evolved into systems characterised by increased participation rates alongside a notable decrease in training hours. This change signifies a move towards more expansive ALSs, predominantly influenced by a rise in low-intensity, short-duration forms of learning. The analysis indicates that the expansion of AET participation in CE was accompanied by a reduction in the volume of training, suggesting a trend towards shorter, less intensive training sessions rather than prolonged, comprehensive courses. This shift helps to clarify why participation levels measured over shorter periods, such as those captured by the EU’s Labour Force Survey, might underreport the extent of short-duration training prevalent in CE.