Lifelong learning in Australia

This report discusses the implications of lifelong learning for Australian education and training. It examines the assumptions behind the lifelong learning policy agenda and discusses the extent to which it is relevant to Australia. It is the second stage of a research project designed to: (1) review the literature on lifelong learning from the policy perspective of Australian education and training; (2) analyse the implications of lifelong learning and identify operational issues for Australian education and training; and (3) identify gaps in research that need to be addressed to make...  [+] Show more

This report discusses the implications of lifelong learning for Australian education and training. It examines the assumptions behind the lifelong learning policy agenda and discusses the extent to which it is relevant to Australia. It is the second stage of a research project designed to: (1) review the literature on lifelong learning from the policy perspective of Australian education and training; (2) analyse the implications of lifelong learning and identify operational issues for Australian education and training; and (3) identify gaps in research that need to be addressed to make lifelong learning a more realistic and operational policy goal. The first stage of the project involved the production of an annotated bibliography of documents (indexed at TD/TNC 76.71) that focused on the development and applications of the lifelong learning policy agenda. This report begins with an analysis of the concept of lifelong learning as it is portrayed in the international and government policy literature. The second chapter discusses the economic rationale for lifelong learning and the extent to which the Australian experience is consistent with the paradigm of the emerging ‘knowledge-based economy’. The influence of structural change on the skills composition of the Australian labour market is discussed in chapter three. The question of education and training for those with low or obsolescent skills is discussed in chapter four. Chapter five discusses the response of the Australian education and training system to possible future changes in the demand for skills.