Lifelong learning in Germany – which forms of learning do working people use?

In terms of education and employment policy, major significance is attached to lifelong learning. Germany’s Federal and Länder governments have set themselves the target of achieving a continuing education participation rate of 50 per cent of the working population – measured by Adult Education Survey (AES) data – by 2015. A further aim is to increase the participation of educationally disadvantaged groups. Nevertheless, apart from continuing education, as defined in the national reporting system for the German AES, other forms of adult learning also exist. The article gives an overview of these whilst pursuing the question of whether they can be effective in helping to eliminate inequalities.