The OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development) is calling on countries around the world to step up their efforts to enable people to continue learning throughout their lives to navigate a rapidly changing world of work shaped by globalisation and the consequences of the pandemic.

OECD’s report states that public policies should play a key role in facilitating effective and inclusive lifelong learning.

“It will be crucial to invest part of the resources devoted to the recovery to lifelong learning programmes, involving all key stakeholders and with a focus on vulnerable groups, particularly young people, the NEET (neither in employment, education or training) and those whose jobs are most at risk of transformation,” the OECD’s report states.

Before the pandemic, two out of ten low-educated adults took part in formal or on-the-job training, compared to six out of ten high-educated adults. Participation in adult learning also differs greatly across countries, the OECD noted, with fewer than 25% of adults in Greece, Italy, Mexico and Turkey report participating in adult learning, compared to over 55% in Denmark, Finland, New Zealand, Norway and Sweden.

“It’s essential that lifelong learning becomes a reality for everyone since the crisis has further accelerated the transformation in our economy and skills needs,” OECD Secretary-General Mathias Cormann said. “Today, too many adults do not participate in workplace learning and the pandemic has further reduced their opportunities to do so. In the recovery efforts, skills will make the difference between staying ahead of the curve or falling behind in a world in constant flux. Countries need to invest part of the resources devoted to the recovery to lifelong learning programmes, involving all key stakeholders and with a specific focus on vulnerable groups, including young people, women and workers whose jobs are most at risk of transformation.”

The report also identifies potential cause of gender inequality in training opportunities.

The OECD calls for countries to focus on three key issues: placing learners at the centre of learning, skills for a lifetime: lifelong learning rests on strong foundation skills, such as literacy and numeracy, the willingness to learn, and a habit of learning and strong co-ordination for high quality, inclusive learning.