Adult Learning in Denmark.

Overview & Synopsis

Each year, almost one-third of adults in Denmark participates in some kind of adult education activity. Danish cultural and educational tradition is based on Folkeoplysning, a process in which personal learning in all areas of life is transformed into both life competence and usable occupational abilities. Increasingly, developments in Denmark's adult education system are being influenced by internationalization and globalization. The Danish adult education and continuing training system is undergoing a process of radical reform designed to meet the education and training needs of individuals with low levels of educational attainment and workers needing to update existing qualifications or acquire new ones. The Danish system consists of a nonqualifying/nonformal component (delivered through university extramural departments, residential and nonresidential folk high schools, production schools, and special education and literacy courses for adults) and a qualifying education component (consisting of a general adult education system, courses for adult immigrants, labor market training, adult vocational education and training, and open education modules). Denmark has several support schemes for individuals participating in education: the Danish State Education Grant and Loan Scheme; leave benefits; education and training allowances for unemployed individuals and for participation in labor market training courses; unemployment benefits; and social cash benefits. Contains a 14-item list for further reading. (MN)