Determinants, Benefits and Barriers of Informal Learning in The Netherlands

Lifelong learning (LLL) is a focal point of Dutch policy in relation to innovation, economic growth and social-cohesion. Prerequisite for LLL policy and implementation is knowledge of LLL participation of the working age population (18–64 years). Problem is that policy makers, government agencies and learning institutions only know the extent for formal LLL and not informal LLL. This contribution represents the first large-scale study of participation in barriers for and benefits of LLL in the Netherlands. It presents data from an on-line survey which yielded 520 qualified responses from the Dutch labour force. Results show that younger workers make more use of LLL than older workers and those with higher levels of formal education participate more than those with lower levels. Perceived outcomes include better job performance, keeping up with new knowledge, and better performance of new, job-related tasks. Barriers include lack of time, inconvenient time and place of LLL activities, cost of LLL activities, and a lack of employer support.