Marketisation of adult education offerings? Programmes of adult education centres in Germany and Slovenia between state, markets, quasi-markets and communities

In this paper, we examine the extent to which marketisation influences selected adult education centres and their programmes in Germany and Slovenia. Detailed empirical investigations of changes driven by market forces – beyond the use of ‘marketisation’ as a slogan – remain scarce in adult education (AE) research, policy, and practice. Conceptually, we draw on an understanding of marketisation as encompassing ideas and words, instruments and methods, and resources and finances. Empirically, the research is based on qualitative programme analysis of selected adult education centres, which provide typical offerings of urban adult education centres in both national contexts. The findings indicate a plurality of ideas in both adult education centres, which serve the needs of the markets, the state, and civil society or communities; that typical instruments and tools of marketisation underpin the work of both adult education centres. But both also promote exchange between different target groups rather than simply reinforcing their actions as market players; and the existence of a ‘quasi-market’ in AE, where the state simulates market dynamics in the absence of genuine market forces.