Inequalities in access to job-related learning among workers in Italy: Evidence from Adult Education Survey (AES)”. RIEDS (Rivista Italiana di Economia, Demografia e Statistica), Vol. LXXIII, No. 2

Equitable access to adult learning for all is a goal for European education, training and employment policies. In particular, all workers should be able to acquire, update and develop their skills over their lifetime. How is it possible to improve access to learning for older workers? This report provides a statistical picture of older workers participation in job-related training in Italy, investigating its variability and relevant inequalities. The analysis is carried out using Italian AES, provided by Eurostat. It analyses adults’ learning activities and distinguishes formal, non-formal and informal learning. Using logistic regression model it is possible to estimate the learning-age gap between those aged 50 years and the general population more accurately. One principal finding of such an analysis is that people under 50 have a probability of participating in training 22% higher when compared to those aged 50 and more (OR=1.22). Secondly, women are less likely to take part in training than men. Overall the data confirm the existence of strong inequalities in access to job-related learning among workers: this requires policy attention, to increase the focus on job-related training as part of active labour market policies, to prevent skills’ obsolescence.