This Eurydice report looks at education and training opportunities for under-qualified adults and also covers policies and measures for enhancing the participation of adult in higher education.

Throughout the last decade, lifelong learning has occupied a central place in the agenda of European policy cooperation on education and training. Convinced of the importance of adult education and its essential contribution to competitiveness, employability and social inclusion, EU Ministers for Education agreed that at least 15 % of adults should participate in some form of education and training by 2020.

The Eurydice report reflects on several key issues faced by European countries such as: 

• How national systems provide adults with opportunities to go ‘one step up’ and upgrade their educational attainment 
• How do they face very different challenges in raising the educational attainment of their adult population? 
• To what extent flexible learning provision is ensured for those returning to formal education 
• Which strategies are put in place in order to encourage adults to return to higher education? 
• Which financial measures support the adult participation in formal education and training? 

The study is available on the Eurydice website in English together with a Highlights brochure.

To order any Eurydice publication free of charge, please send your request to eacea-eurydice@ec.europa.eu