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Informal and non-formal learning in non-profit organizations

Non-profit organisations are generally staffed by a combination of employees and volunteers. Staff often use the resources provided within the organisation and these resources can enable them to maintain their skill set or to upgrade other skills. This Canadian study investigated non-formal and informal learning in non-profit organisations to identify the predominant type of learning process occurring and the available resources associated with the organisation that promote such predominance. Non-formal learning is defined as 'learning that is not provided by an education or training institution and typically does not lead to certification'. Non-formal learning is structured and intentional on the learner's part. Informal learning is defined as 'the learning resulting from daily life activities related to work, family or leisure'. It is not structured, does not usually lead to certification and is mostly non-intentional or incidental from the learner's perspective. Participating organisations were asked to describe the learning opportunities available within their organisation. An open-ended survey was conducted with a representative sample of non-profit and co-operative organisations in the Canadian province of Ontario. The occurrences of informal and non-formal learning varied across the organisations. Non-formal learning was apparently more predominant within the sample (78.77%). However, informal learning opportunities were also available within the organisations in the sample (66.51%). Generally, there was a greater variety of informal learning resources than those of non-formal learning. Having a charitable status and organisation size were also positively related to the value given to informal learning. Although non-formal learning was apparently more predominant than informal learning, the authors suggest that, because there are a greater number of informal learning opportunities available within the organisations, it is premature to state unequivocally that informal learning does not have an important place.

Non-profit organisations are generally staffed by a combination of employees and volunteers. Staff often use the resources ...  Show Full Abstract  

Authors: Sousa, Jorge; Quarter, Jack
Date: 2003
Geographic subjects: North America; Canada
Resource type: Report
Subjects: Skills and knowledge; Workforce development; Research;

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