Adult education

Instruction targeted at adult students, both in a recreational and in an academic context, for self-improvement purposes, or to better equip the students for the labour market.

adult learning
adult apprenticeships
adult pedagogy
adult trainings
grown-up learning
adult students education
adult teaching
adult training
adult students learning
adult apprenticeship

knowledge

cross-sector

Adult education is an essential knowledge of the following occupations:

Adult literacy teacher: Adult literacy teachers instruct adult students, including recent immigrants and early school leavers, in basic reading and writing skills, usually on primary school level. Adult literacy teachers involve the students in the planning and executing of their reading activities, and assess and evaluate them individually through assignments and examinations.
Corporate trainer: Corporate trainers train, coach, and guide employees of a company to teach and improve their skills, competences and knowledge in accordance with the needs of the company. They develop the existing potential of the employees to increase their efficiency, motivation, job satisfaction, and employability.
Social work practice educator: Social work practice educators teach, supervise and assess social work students prior, during and after they have obtained their degree. They contribute to their placement and have the authority to recommend students on the basis of appropriate evidence.
Prison instructor: Prison instructors educate legal offenders, including prisoners, on social rehabilitation and correctional behaviour. They assist prisoners in gaining skills which could facilitate their reintegration into society and increase their chances at finding employment after release. Prison instructors analyse the students’ individual learning needs, plan and prepare teaching materials and sessions and update their learning records. They also ensure the working area and materials are safe from danger and accounted for, and supervise the students at all times.
Further education teacher: Further education teachers organise and teach programmes designed specifically for adult learners. They impart a wide spectrum of subjects, ranging from academic areas such as mathematics and history, to trainings for personalitiy development, technical expertise or practical courses like languages and ICT. They teach and support adults aspiring to broaden their knowledge and their personal and professional skills and/or to achieve further qualifications. Further education teachers consider the previous knowledge and the work and life experience of the learners. They individualize their teaching and involve the students in the planning and executing of their learning activities. Further education teachers design reasonable assignments and examinations suitable to their adult learners.
Corporate training manager: Corporate training managers coordinate all the training activities and development programmes in a company. They also design and develop new training modules and supervise all the activities related to the planning and delivery of these programmes.

Adult education is optional for these occupations. This means knowing this knowledge may be an asset for career advancement if you are in one of these occupations.

Public speaking coach: Public speaking coaches provide, often private, instruction to clients in theory and techniques on how to improve their public speaking skills. They identify each client’s strengths and weaknesses and tailor their instruction to their specific needs, which may include improving the client’s vocal delivery, articulation, presentation abilities and body language. Depending on the background of the client, be it business, education or otherwise, public speaking coaches also instruct clients or students in persuasive arguing, rhetorical delivery and other debating techniques.
Educational counsellor: Educational counsellors provide practical and emotional support to students in a educational institution, either in small groups, classrooms, or individually. They function as an accessible school official whom students may contact for a wide variety of issues. Educational counsellors may provide advice on personal problems such as social integration and behavioural issues, and on school-related matters such as composing adequate curriculum schedules, discussing test scores, and informing students on further education options. They may work closely with a school social worker and/or school psychologist and make referrals to other support services if necessary.
Motorcycle instructor: Motorcycle driver instructors teach people the theory and practice of how to operate a motorcycle safely and according to regulations. They assist students in developing the skills needed to ride and prepare them for the theory test and the practical riding test.
Vessel steering instructor: Vessel steering instructors teach people the theory and practice of how to operate a vessel safely and according to regulations. They assist students in developing the skills needed to steer and prepare them for the driving theory and the driving examinations. They may also supervise driving examinations.
Further education principal: Further education principals manage the day-to-day activities of a post-secondary education institute, such as technical institutes and other post-secondary schools. Further education principals make decisions concerning admissions and are responsible for meeting curriculum standards, which facilitate academic development for the students. They manage staff, the school’s budget and programmes and oversee the communication between departments. They also ensure the school meets the national education requirements set by law.
Sports coach: Sports coaches provide instruction in the sport of their specialisation in a recreational context to non-age-specific and age specific participants. They identify already acquired skills and implement suitable training programmes for the groups or individuals they teach in order to develop participants’ physical and psychological fitness. They create the most optimal environment for the growth of participant skills and enable them to maximise their performance, while fostering good sportsmanship and character in all participants. Sports coaches also track the participant progress and provide personalised instruction where needed. They supervise sports facilities and changing rooms and maintain uniforms and equipment.
Bus driving instructor: Bus driving instructors teach people the theory and practice of how to operate a bus safely and according to regulations. They assist students in developing the skills needed to drive and prepare them for the driving theory tests and the practical driving test.
Social worker: Social workers are practice-based professionals who promote social change and development, social cohesion, and the empowerment and liberation of people. They interact with individuals, families, groups, organisations and communities in order to provide various forms of therapy and counselling, group work, and community work. Social workers guide people to use services to claim benefits, access community resources, find jobs and training, obtain legal advice or deal with other local authority departments.
Tutor: Tutors provide personalised education to the children of employers or to adults, in addition to the main education system. They help students improve their knowledge and competence of a specific subject, at their own pace. Tutors will teach their students study techniques and strategies in order to ensure their academic development and will assess the student’s progress throughout the tutoring sessions.
Lifeguard instructor: Lifeguard instructors teach future (professional) lifeguards the necessary programmes and methods needed to become a licensed lifeguard. They provide training on safety supervision of all swimmers, assessment of potentially hazardous situations, rescue-specific swimming and diving techniques, first aid treatment for swimming-related injuries, and they inform students on preventative lifeguard responsibilities. They ensure students are aware of the importance of checking safe water quality, heeding risk management and being aware of the necessary protocols and regulations regarding lifeguarding and rescuing. They monitor the students’ progress, evaluate them through theoretical and practical tests and award the lifeguard licenses when obtained.
Career guidance advisor: Career guidance advisors provide guidance and advice to adults and students on making educational, training and occupational choices and assist people in managing their careers, through career planning and career exploration. They help identify options for future careers, assist beneficiaries in the development of their curriculum and help people reflect on their ambitions, interests and qualifications. Career guidance advisors may provide advice on various career planning issues and make suggestions for lifelong learning if necessary, including study recommendations. They may also assist the individual in the search for a job.
Police trainer: Police trainers train probationary, new academy recruits, or cadets, and seasoned veterans on the theory and practice necessary to become a police officer. They conduct theoretical lectures on academic subjects such as law, government regulations, community relations and human diversity. Police academy instructors also provide more hands-on, practical instruction regarding physical training, the care of firearms, first aid, self defensive tactics and vehicle operations. They also prepare and develop lesson plans and new training programmes as new law enforcement-related regulations and issues arise. The instructors monitor the students’ progress, evaluate them individually and prepare performance evaluation reports.
Car driving instructor: Car driving instructors teach people the theory and practice of how to operate a car safely and according to regulations. They assist students in developing the skills needed to drive and prepare them for the driving theory tests and the practical driving test.
Armed forces training and education officer: Armed forces training and education officers train probationary, new academy recruits, or cadets, on the theory and practice necessary to become a soldier or a military officer, and need experience as a military officer themselves as a requirement to instruct. They prepare and present theoretical courses and materials during training on subjects such as law, national and international regulations, defense and offense models, world affairs etc. They also conduct the physical training of the cadets, teaching them care and usage of weapon and machinery, first aid, self defense and offense techniques, military vehicle operations, and putting them through a series of heavy drills and physical training. Armed forces training and education officers manage training plans by developing and updating the curriculum and field training exercises when necessary. They also assist senior officers in preparation for a promotion and generally monitor the cadets’ progress and evaluate their performance through a series of theoretical and physical tests. They prepare performance and evaluation reports for each cadet individually.
Language school teacher: Language school teachers educate non-age-specific students in a language that is not their native language at a specialised school, not bound by a level of education. They focus less on the academic aspect of language teaching, as opposed to language teachers in secondary or higher education, but instead on the theory and practice that will be most helpful to their students in real-life situations since most choose instruction for either business, immigration or leisure reasons. They organise their classes using a variety of lesson materials, work interactively with the group, and assess and evaluate their individual progress through assignments and examinations, putting emphasis on active language skills such as writing and speaking.
First aid instructor: First aid instructors teach students immediate lifesaving emergency measures, such as cardiopulmonary resuscitation, the recovery position, and injury care. They provided practice materials such as a specialised manikin.
Firefighter instructor: Firefighter instructors train probationary, new academy recruits, or cadets, on the theory and practice necessary to become a firefighter. They conduct theoretical lectures on academic subjects such as law, basic chemistry, safety regulations, risk management, fire prevention, reading blueprints etc. Fire academy instructors also provide more hands-on, practical instruction regarding the usage of assistive equipment and rescue tools such as a fire hose, fire axe, smoke mask etc., but also heavy physical training, breathing techniques, first aid, self defense tactics and vehicle operations. They also prepare and develop lesson plans and new training programmes as new public service-related regulations and issues arise. The instructors monitor the students’ progress, evaluate them individually and prepare performance evaluation reports.
Driving instructor: Driving instructors teach people the theory and practice on how to operate a vehicle safely and according to regulations. They assist students in developing the skills needed to drive and prepare them for the driving theory and the driving examination. They may also supervise driving examinations.
Truck driving instructor: Truck driving instructors teach people the theory and practice of how to operate a truck safely and according to regulations. They assist students in developing the skills needed to drive and prepare them for the driving theory tests and the practical driving test.
Community social worker: Community social workers help people in disadvantage or excluded from society to change their situation and handle their integration problems. They work with communities focusing on specific groups. Community social workers liaise closely with social workers, schools, local authorities and probation officers representing people before policy makers at local and national level.
Human resources manager: Human resources managers plan, design and implement processes related to the human capital of companies. They develop programs for recruiting, interviewing, and selecting employees based on a previous assessment of the profile and skills required in the company. Moreover, they manage compensation and development programs for the company’s employees comprising trainings, skill assessment and yearly evaluations, promotion, expat programs, and general assurance of the well-being of the employees in the workplace.
Education policy officer: Education policy officers research, analyse and develop education policies, and implement these policies to improve the existing education system. They try to improve all aspects of education which will impact institutions such as schools, universities and vocational schools. They work closely with partners, external organisations or other stakeholders and provide them with regular updates.

References

1. Adult education – ESCO