Participation Patterns in AET

This chapter systematically organises findings on participation in Adult Education and Training (AET) across Central European (CE) Adult Learning Systems (ALSs), highlighting the impact of crucial social variables on engagement in AET. It explores the roles of age, gender, education level, and occupation, unveiling a scenario of pronounced inequalities: notably, older adults, women, individuals with lower educational attainment, and unskilled workers are less involved in AET. The chapter further draws attention to the “Matthew effect,” wherein those with higher levels of education are more likely to participate in AET, and delineates the stark disparities in participation rates between employed and unemployed individuals, with a particular focus on the importance of job-related non-formal education (NFE). Moreover, it critiques the decline in public provision of NFE and discusses how this trend exacerbates participation inequalities. By dissecting the complex interactions between ALS characteristics and social group participation, the chapter underscores the critical necessity for policy interventions designed to reduce these disparities and enhance access to lifelong learning opportunities within CE countries.