Originally published in 1987, at a time of high unemployment, this book provides a critical analysis of the role played by education in solving unemployment. It examines the practical, social and psychological effects of unemployment on adults and argues that formal institutional responses are inadequate within any long term perspective, and that it is rather community, informal and often unofficial initiatives that will provide learning experiences for unemployed people.

Research report, adult education, unemployed, UK - psychological aspects, role of government agencys, voluntary organizations, mass media and advisory services, curriculum, experiments. References, statistical tables.

Against a background of profound wordwide social and economic change, the purpose of schooling and the place of learning in our everyday lives, educational institutions are opening up to those traditionally deprived of the opportunity. These books, originally published between 1979 and 1992 with many including global case studies reflect upon major issues confronting adult educators worldwide and discuss the role of adult education in social and community action; examine the relationship between class and adult education; look at the concept of culture and the transmission of cultural values in relations to adult education; evaluate the role of adult education in reducing unemployment.

This book opens with a survey of the historical evolution of adult education in the UK and leads on to the study of the structure of adult learning. It discusses distance teaching opportunities such as the Open University and the National Extension College, and face-to-face teaching provision in adult education centres. It also looks at specific programmes such as the Adult Literacy Initiative in the mid-1970s, and at target groups like the adult unemployed, women and ethnic groups. Comprehensive and yet broad-ranging, this volume contains much new material that offers interesting insights into both present and future opportunities for adult education.