Changing Intention to Participate in Adult Education and Training in Norway: Compositional and Motivational Factors

Western governments propose adult education and training (AET) as a prerequisite for all employees to solve current challenges related to globalization, climate change, automation and the ageing workforce. This study examines the trend in Norwegian employees’ intention to participate in AET from 2010 to 2022. Building on the comprehensive lifelong learning participation model (CLLPM), we conduct logistic regression analyses of 10 waves of a nationally representative cross-sectional survey ( N = 26,588). We find a declining trend in the intention to participate in AET. The results show that the trend cannot be explained by socio-demographic workforce changes, as it is present in all age categories and levels of education. Motivational factors such as job insecurity, employability, wage satisfaction and desire for more challenges only explain some of the decline. We discuss the findings considering the CLLPM and contribute to the current academic debate on lifelong learning in the employability regime.