Seminar Feedback: Implications for adults seeking learning/work

Here’s the feedback on question 1 from the seminar:

Q1. What are the implications for adults seeking learning and work opportunities?

Negatives

1. Adults seeking learning & work opportunities may not know what they don’t know: raising awareness is essential.
2. Online recruitment to employment is becoming more customary so adults who lack IT skills will be disadvantaged.
3. As job roles change, IT skills – not qualifications – are almost essential.
4. E learning will continue to make learning more accessible to those with good IT skills but has the potential to increase the learning divide – by excluding those whose IT skills are weak.
5. Many unemployed or economically inactive people will not have a PC at home. It is important to raise the profile and promote more heavily the availability of free IT access points.
6. Some people, particularly in rural areas, may live some distance from access points and transport can be an issue. There is a need to link in community transport schemes and find other venues at a more local level.
7. Some adults may be reluctant to go into a library to use the free facilities there – it is acknowledged however that some libraries are offering free one-to-one familiarisation sessions to help adults overcome their fear of using computers. More of this type of provision would be really useful.
8. There is a need to show people the relevance of using new technologies e.g. on-line shopping, e mail, internet banking etc.
9. Some people may lack confidence and therefore be unwilling to engage in learning or take the first step.
10. There may be funding implications as there can be expensive fees incurred.
11. Some people may feel intimidated (environment, lack of IT knowledge) or there may be a lack of encouragement.
12. It would virtually be impossible for someone to have the IT skills required  if they lack Essential Skills.
13. Missing out on opportunities for progression.
14. Might feel there is no point even trying as they have “missed the boat” as far as technology is concerned.
15. What about those who aren’t actively seeking work or willing to engage in learning – some people don’t want to learn about IT – how do you involve them?
16. What sort of “hooks” can be used – need to see relevance to their lives/interests?
17. Many adults are a long way from being media literate and motivation will be key in addressing this.
18. There is a lack of opportunity and flexibility within learning and work for any adult who is not media literate.
19. Options for accessing learning and work will be limited.
20. Initial training from employers may be valuable but needs to be sustained.
21. Fear of stigma and lack of media confidence may inhibit work / learning performance.

Positives

1. There is a huge opportunity for everyone to benefit from the new technologies but we need to capitalize on the opportunities and make them accessible to everyone to prevent further exclusion.
2. Media literacy opens lines of communication and gives the disabled or housebound the ability to shop online and even opens employment opportunities where people can work from home.
3. It can provide a more economic form of learning for those with little or no income.
4. Media literacy gives independence and empowerment.

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