National Adult Learning Survey (NALS) 2005 Scotland Report

ANNEX E - Self-directed learning

Table E.1 Percentage of NS- SEC groups reporting different types of self-directed learning in the past 12 months

	%	%	%	%	%
	Managerial and professional occupations	Intermediate	Small emp's & own account workers	Lower superv. & technical	Semi-routine and routine
Professional development	67	36	41	28	15
Other self-directed learning	43	23	23	27	18
Professional development or other self-directed learning	77	49	48	44	29
Weighted base	326	93	62	121	228
Unweighted base	318	95	71	112	226

Base: all respondents aged 16-69 who were employed or self-employed or had been employed or self-employed in the past

Table E.2 Percentage of employees in different sized organisations reporting different types of self-directed learning in the past 12 months

	%	%	%
	Less than 25 employees	25-499 employees	500 + employees
Professional development	33	39	58
Other self-directed learning	28	25	46
Professional development or other self-directed learning	47	48	76
Weighted base	254	349	149
Unweighted base	242	341	148

Base: all respondents aged 16-69 who were in paid employment or had been in paid employment in the past

Table E.3 Subject of self-directed learning to keep up to date with work developments*

	%
Business & administrative studies	27
Mathematical & computer sciences	12
Education & teacher training	9
Engineering	17
Computer use (incl. Internet)	14
Social studies	9
Architecture, building & planning	5
Law	8
Creative arts & design	5
Medicine & dentistry	6
Subjects allied to medicine not listed	6
Veterinary sciences, agriculture and related subjects	5
Other specific answer not in codeframe	6
Weighted base	348
Unweighted base	335

Base: all respondents aged 16-69 who reported self directed learning to keep up to date with work developments in the past 12 months

*Percentage may sum to more than 100 because respondents could choose more than one reply

Only those subjects mentioned by 5% or more respondents are included in the table.

Table E.4 Subject of 'other' self-directed learning

	%
Computer use (incl. Internet)	17
Specifically work-related subject not listed	5
Mathematical & Computer sciences	6
Modern languages & literature	10
Leisure or life skills subject not listed	8
Music & drama	9
Gardening/ garden design	5
Weighted base	250
Unweighted base	238

Base: all respondents aged 16-69 who reported 'other' self directed learning in the past 12 months

Note: Only those subjects mentioned by 5% or more respondents are included in the table.

Table E.5 Use of ICT for self-directed learning*

	%
To do research for learning episode	59
Learning about IT skills	26
Used word-processor / spreadsheet	18
Learning about using the Internet	23
Exchanged emails	21
Learning using on line facilities/ CD rom	12
ICT used in other way	4
Not used ICT for learning	23
Weighted base	250
Unweighted base	238

Base: all respondents aged 16-69 who reported 'other' self directed learning in the past 12 months

*Percentages sum to more than 100 because respondents could choose more than one reply

Table E.6 Use of computer and/or Internet for self-directed learning

	%
Computer only	9
Internet only	14
Both computer and the Internet	77
Weighted base	250
Unweighted base	238

Base: all respondents aged 16-69 who reported 'other' self directed learning in the past 12 months and used ICT for this learning

Table E.7 Whether subject of learning was related to the job they were doing at the time when they started studying

	%
Yes	36
No	64
Weighted base	208
Unweighted base	193

Base: all respondents aged 16-69 who reported 'other' self directed learning in the past 12 months and had been in paid employment in the past three years (or since they left continuous full time education).

Table E.8 Whether they started teaching themselves because they thought it would help with a job they were thinking of doing in the future

	%
Yes	15
Maybe	8
No	78
Weighted base	175
Unweighted base	165

Base: all respondents aged 16-69 who reported 'other' self directed learning in the past 12 months which was not related to their job at the time or they had not been in paid employment in the past three years (or since they left continuous full time education).

Table E.9 Whether they thought it would help with voluntary work they were doing/thinking of doing

	%
Yes	9
Maybe	1
No	90
Weighted base	250
Unweighted base	238

Base: all respondents aged 16-69 who reported 'other' self directed learning in the past 12 months

Table E.10 Employment benefits of self-directed learning*

	%
Developed new job skills	49
Able to do job better	49
Got more job satisfaction	42
Pay rise in existing job	4
Changed type of work	1
Set up my own/family business	8
Got a new job	1
Got a promotion	3
Stayed in my job	2
Helped with disability	3
None of the above	30
Weighted base	114
Unweighted base	105

Base: all respondents aged 16-69 who reported 'other' self directed learning in the past 12 months, whose learning was connected to current or future paid employment

*Percentages sum to more than 100 because respondents could choose more than one reply

Table E.11 Wider benefits of self-directed learning*

	%
Improved knowledge about subject	76
Found learning interesting	74
Enjoyed it	70
Learned new skills	72
Did something useful with spare time	42
Encouraged more learning	33
Boosted confidence	30
Increased self-esteem	18
Met new people	22
Kept body active	18
Able to help child with school work	9
Helped with health disability	6
Encouraged voluntary or community activity	9
None of the above	1
Weighted base	250
Unweighted base	238

Base: all respondents aged 16-69 who reported 'other' self directed learning in the past 12 months

*Percentages sum to more than 100 because respondents could choose more than one reply

Table E.12 Wider benefits of self-directed learning by current highest qualification ^*

	%	%	%
	SVQ Level 4-5	SVQ Level 2-3	SVQ Level 1 & no quals
Improved knowledge about subject	71	90	[67]
Found learning interesting	69	82	[75]
Enjoyed it	65	74	[84]
Learned new skills	70	74	[73]
Encouraged more learning	30	37	[37]
Did something useful with spare time	35	46	[56]
Boosted confidence	30	29	[31]
Increased self-esteem	19	22	[10]
Met new people	21	18	[32]
Kept body active	12	22	[31]
Able to help child with school work	8	13	[5]
Encouraged voluntary or community activity	8	11	[8]
Helped with health disability	3	9	[8]
None of the above	0	0	[3]
Weighted base	135	76	39
Unweighted base	134	69	35

Base: all respondents aged 16-69 who reported 'other' self directed learning in the past 12 months

*Percentages sum to more than 100 because respondents could choose more than one reply

Page updated: Friday, March 16, 2007

Scottish Government