Adult up- and re-skilling is a top priority for European stakeholders and policymakers. Strong skill foundations and continuous updating and acquisition of new skills, knowledge, and competences are required due to rapidly changing labor markets and a variety of challenges, including digitalization, technological advancements, the environment, aging societies, social inclusion and recently, COVID-19 health pandemic outbreak.
In this article D. Mallows present the importance of member states designing effective basic skills policies to ensure access to the Upskilling Pathways for all members of society with special care in adults aiming to vocational qualifications at EQF Level 3 or 4
D. Mallows concludes that ‘If we design adult learning with a predefined, inaccurate, and disrespectful understanding of the ‘low-skilled’ we should not be surprised if they fail to engage. If instead we listen carefully to adults and design programmes that build on their interests and their skills, we may have a chance of creating Upskilling Pathways that are meaningful, engaging and successful.’
