EU Adult learning statistics

Complementary methodological information

version 11/01/2019
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Section 4 – Dissemination of EU statistics on adult learning

4.1 Dissemination of main results

Data on adult participation in learning are available in the domain 'Education and training (educ)' in Eurostat's online database, and there in the sub-folder 'Participation in education and training (educ_part)'. AES data series (2007, 2011 and 2016) as well as series for the LFS indicator on adult participation in learning can be found in the folder on 'Adult learning (trng)'. CVTS data series (2005, 2010 and 2015) can be found in the folder on 'Continuing vocational training in enterprises (trng_cvt)'.

The sub-folder 'Past series (trng_h)' presents results from the 2003 LFS ad-hoc module on lifelong learning (12-month reference period). The folder also contains CVTS 2 data (reference year 1999). CVTS 1 data are not available in Eurostat's online database but main results are available here.

Publications

The European Commission uses the AES, CVTS and LFS adult participation in lifelong learning data to monitor progress within the strategic framework for education and training: “progress reports” until 2011, “education and training monitor” as from 2012.

Likewise, the following publications can be consulted on AES and CVTS results:

- CVTS 5 (reference year 2015) and 2016 AES results: Statistics explained - Education and training in the EU - facts and figures

- 2007 AES results: Statistics in focus 44/2009 on adult learning

- CVTS 2 (reference year 1999):

                   Statistics in focus 08/2002: Costs and funding of CVT in enterprises in Europe

                   Statistics in focus 10/2002: Providers and fields of CVT in enterprises in Europe

                   Statistics in focus 22/2002: Disparities in access to CVT in enterprises in Europe

- CVTS 3 (reference year 2005): Evaluation and interpretation - CEDEFOP research paper

Adult learning related information is also available from the Labour Market Policy Database, e.g. Statistics in focus 34/2009 on labour market training.

4.2 Dissemination of anonymised datasets

Microdata sent by countries to Eurostat are accessible to researchers for scientific purposes only, for details see access to microdata. The accessible microdata are anonymised according to specific criteria in order to avoid any risk of disclosure. Access is granted when both the applicant and the project are considered eligible for the use of the data.

AES anonymised datasets

The following criteria have been agreed with Member States for the production of AES anonymised datasets in a common EU format:

- 2016 AES

- 2011 AES

- 2007 AES

CVTS anonymised datasets

The following criteria have been agreed with Member States for the production of CVTS anonymised datasets in a common EU format:

- CVTS 5 – EU anonymisation criteria

- CVTS 4 – EU anonymisation criteria

- CVTS 3 – EU anonymisation criteria

LFS anonymised datasets

For information on the availability of LFS microdata see access to microdata.

4.3 Coherence between AES and LFS results

·         Participation in education and training in the last 12 months (AES) versus participation in education and training in the last 4 weeks (LFS)

The availability of quarterly LFS data in all countries since 2005 and Adult Education Survey data for 2007, 2011 and 2016 raised the issue of interpretation of results using two different reference periods for the participation in education and training.

Information on the main issues related to the interpretation of results based on different reference periods is available from a review of pros and cons of such reference periods. An illustration of the differences between the participation rate in education and training during the last 12 months vs. during the last 4 weeks is also available.

·         AES and LFS differences due to survey design and implementation

Besides the differences in the results due to the reference periods used in the AES (12 months) and the LFS (4 weeks), there are significant differences between the two surveys. Differences might refer to the alignment to the concepts of formal and non-formal education (implementation and wording of the questions in the national questionnaires), to the coverage of non-formal education and training activities (guided-on-the-job training should not be covered by the LFS) and whether proxy answers are allowed.

Further information is available from the methodological notes on the comparability of results from AES and LFS and from the report Revision of education variables in the EU Labour Force Survey – summary of the 2010 Eurostat grant action.