Multi-layered perspective on the barriers to learning participation of disadvantaged adults

We propose a multi-level explanatory model aimed at explaining the variability behind participation in adult learning. Our model focuses on the employed adults, narrowing down to vulnerable sub-groups of employed: low-skilled; young and low-skilled, and immigrants. Adult learning participation is explained identifying determinants at the level of the individual, household, job, employer as well as the system-level. The model is estimated using the European Union Labour Force Survey microdata for 28 European countries. Comparing the results across the vulnerable groups and types of determinants yields interesting insight in understanding the variability in adult learning participation across Europe.