"We are no longer in a world where a person can finish school or gain a post-school qualification and expect that their need for learning has ended."
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These are the words of state Education Minister Jeremy Rockliff as published in the foreword for the draft Tasmanian Adult Learning Strategy that was released for public comment this week.
The statement sums up the current and future threats and/or opportunities to Tasmania's health, education, workforce and population.
According to one report by the Foundation of Young Australians, today's 17-year-old is expected to have 17 jobs across five careers in their lifetime.
This would not be possible without ongoing formal and informal education.
And if the teens of today are expected to face these changes, what does it mean for the 40-year-old who still has at least another 30 years in the workforce.
When it comes to literacy, numeracy and digital literacy the statistics are not entirely flattering for Tasmania.
Participating at university is strong with 19 per cent of UTAS students over the age of 35 and 40 per cent over the age of 25. Within vocational education and training about 70 per cent of the students are over the age of 25 and about three quarters are employed at the same time. Yet the participating of adults in education is below the national average.
Yet, 15 per cent of Tasmanians would like more work hours and 18 per cent of Tasmanians aged between 15 and 24 do not work or study. And our grade 12 completion rates are still well below the national average.
There are many barriers to education - finance, family situation or background, and previous history involving education.
Some of the goals and actions within the adult learners strategy will, if executed correctly, play a significant role in improving educational outcomes and strengthen our future workforce.
To do this the delivery must right and be accessible to all Tasmanians, the adults who need these programs must be targeted and the next generation must be involved to ensure the cycle is broken.