Three Stages of ALSs Formation in CE

The initial discussion chapter delineates the development of Adult Learning Systems (ALSs) in Central Europe (CE) across three distinct periods from 1989 to 2019, each shaped by specific societal challenges that influenced the coordination, provision, and demand within ALSs. These periods encompass the transition era (1989–2003), defined by the decentralisation and dissolution of the socialist educational framework; the accession phase (2004–2012), characterised by European Union integration and the embracement of the European lifelong learning framework; and the economic revival phase (2013–2019), marked by economic expansion, increased labour market demand, and a pivot towards vocational training. This chapter elucidates how these evolutionary stages have differently impacted the architecture of ALSs and the disparities in access to adult education and training, propelled by the interplay of internal dynamics, institutional pressures, and reactions from various stakeholders. The examination uncovers that although CE nations followed broadly similar developmental trajectories, disparities in outcomes arose due to divergences in state capacity, market needs, and policy orientations.