Adult learning need not have a practical application or be for financial gain in order to have value, an education expert has claimed.
Ian Searle, chairman of the University of the Third Age, said education need not be undertaken with a purely financial motive.
He noted that adult learning should not necessarily be about improving business prospects, claiming that it has value in its own right, reports Training Journal.
"Even in an economic crisis, there is no reason to abandon something that makes us civilised. And this sort of education does affect the bottom line, because education in later life has been shown to keep us healthier and away from our doctors," he said.
The expert warned against over emphasising the practical advantages of adult learning and getting an education.
Mr Searle said the effectiveness and value of education should not be measured in purely financial terms because people will benefit from learning whether or not it has monetary advantages for an individual or company.
Despite this, adult learning and gaining qualifications can have a variety of benefits for those looking to progress in their careers or improve their job prospects.
Indeed, a spokesperson for the Department of Business, Innovation and Skills recently claimed that skills are an "investment for the whole of a person's life".
She said they could be vital when starting out on a search for a new job and might help people in the UK's workforce to find positions they want.
The spokesperson noted that the qualification system is becoming less bureaucratic and more flexible for employers and staff.
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