Search results

Lifelong learning is important to the economic growth and development of a nation and consequently should be a priority in government education and training policy making. This paper argues that, despite the fact that Australia has an education system characterised by high levels of participation, traditional divisions between the various education and training sectors within the system, restrict movement of students through it, inhibiting the development of a learning society. In order to facilitate lifelong learning for all citizens, governments must develop cross-sectoral education policies so that an education and training environment supportive of lifelong learning may evolve. The author outlines the development of the Lifelong Learning Network, which was set up to promote collaborative cross-sectoral policy research on education and training in Australia. The paper outlines existing government policy initiatives conducive to lifelong learning, the role of policy research in government decision making, the Lifelong Learning Network and its role in collaborative cross-sectoral policy research.