Job Prospects Drive Lifelong Learning

Thursday 31 May 2001

Half of all British workers have undertaken lifelong learning activities over the past year, according to a new survey from the Nestlé Family Monitor. Six out of 10 have done so to improve employment credentials.

The survey raises the question as to whether lifelong learning is involving those it would benefit most. Amongst the unemployed, only 26% have undertaken learning activities in the last 12 months.

Generally, nearly four in ten (37%) adults not still in full-time education were involved in learning activities over the last year, according to the survey.

In addition to learning associated with work, instruction for sport and other practical skills such as driving featured in the activities undertaken.

Family role

The role of 'family dynamics' is highlighted by the 16% who said that they had been influenced by parents and relatives to learn and the 9% who said that their children had influenced them.

A small number (1%) stated specifically that they were attracted to learning in order to help their children with their homework.

Almost nine in ten (86%) agreed with the statement that 'helping their children with their schoolwork wakes up parents' own brains' and 77% agreed that children benefit if other members of the family are learning as well.

The Nestlé Family Monitor study on 'Lifelong Learning' 504 was conducted by MORI for Nestlé UK . Copies of the study are available from Corporate Affairs Department, Nestlé UK, St. George's House, Croydon CR9 1NR or via www.nestlefamilymonitor.co.uk

Technical details

• The Nestlé Family Monitor is part of a series of research studies into family life in Britain undertaken on behalf of Nestlé by MORI. 'Lifelong Learning' is issue number 11.
• The study was conducted by MORI with 504 adults 16 plus personally interviewed face-to-face across 54 sampling points throughout Great Britain between 23 September and 8 October 2000. 483 of the respondents were not in full time education. All results in the study are based on this sub sample.

Topline Results

• 504 interviews conducted face-to-face, in-home between 23 September - 8 October 2000
• Representative, quota sample; data weighted to national profile
• An asterisk (*) denotes a percentage of less than 0.5% but greater than zero.
• Base: All unless otherwise specified

Lifelong Learning

I would now like to ask you some questions about things you do nowadays.

Q1 Which, if any, of the following have you personally done during the past twelve months? What others?

Q2 Now thinking about your child(ren) (aged 16 or under and living with you), which, if any, has each of your children/has your child done during the past twelve months? - Firstly for your eldest child … What else?

• Nestlé Family Monitor No.11 - Lifelong Learning [pdf format 158K]

Q3 Which, if any, of these learning activities have you personally been involved in during the past twelve months? What others?

Q4 Which, if any, have any other adults, aged over 16 in your household been involved in during the past twelve months? What others?

Q5 And which, if any, have any of your children (aged 16 or under and living with you) been involved in during the past twelve months? What others?

Q6 Which, if any, of these influenced you most in deciding to undertake this learning/these learning activities?
Base: All involved in learning activities in past 12 months (190)

Q7 What attracted you to undertake this learning activity/these learning activities? What else?
Base: All involved in learning activities in past 12 months (190)

Q8 Where did you take part in this learning activity/these learning activities?
Base: All involved in learning activities in past 12 months (190)

Q9 In total, how many hours per week would you say you spend/spent doing this/these learning activities?
Base: All involved in learning activities in past 12 months (190)

Q10 To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statements?
Base: All parents/legal guardians (182)

Q11 Have you ever received any training - either formal or informal - in how to be a parent?
Base: All parents/legal guardians (182)

Q12 From whom did you receive this training? Please just read out the letter or letters that apply.
Base: All parents who have received training in how to be parent (31)

Q13 To what extent, if at all, are you interested in taking part in learning activities in the future?

Q14 Where would you like to be able to participate in learning activities? Please just read out the letter or letters that apply.
Base: All interested in future learning (292)

Q15 At what times of the day would you ideally like to participate in learning activities? Is that weekdays or weekends?
Base: All interested in future learning (292)

Q16 The Department for Education and Employment (DfEE) is encouraging schools to open their doors for family learning and community learning. How interested, if at all, would you personally be in using school premises for learning during a) the day b) the evening?

Q17 To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statements?