Activities of adult learning associations, 2008

Men and women largely followed the traditional pattern in their selection of subjects. Female participants were in the majority in most main subjects. Courses with high female percentages were goods and services (69 per cent), languages (65 per cent) and health, social and sports (64 per cent).

Men were clearly in the majority, with 82 per cent of all participants within science, industry and technical subjects. Men made up 69 per cent of the participants taking transportation and communication courses, and 60 per cent of those taking natural resource management, ecology, environmental protection and outdoor recreation courses.

Elderly in majority within aesthetic and handicraft courses

As in previous years, aesthetic and handicraft courses were the most popular courses with 211 000 participants. A total of 43 per cent of 14-29 year-olds, 37 per cent of 30-49 year-olds and 57 per cent of those aged 50 and over took courses in this main subject area.

The biggest differences among the age groups were seen in health, social and sports courses. A total of 61 per cent of those taking health, social and sports courses were in the age group 30-49.

Ninety per cent of all participants were reported by age. A total of 39 per cent of those with reported age were in the age group 50 and above. The 30-49 age group accounted for 36 per cent, while 25 per cent were in the age group 14-29.

Tables:

• Table 1 Number of courses, participants and lessons by organization. 2000-2008
• Table 2 Number of courses, participants and lessons, by county. 2000-2008
• Table 3 Number of courses, participants and lessons, by subject. 2000-2008
• Table 4 Number of participant by age, sex and county. 2000-2008
• Table 5 Number of partocipant by age, sex and subject. 2008
• Table 6 Number of participants by subject and county. 2000-2008