to be shocked at the demise of adult education?

[Goldfsh]

Now I have an empty nest, I was hoping to start some adult education classes in academic topics that interest me, e.g. history or literature.

Having contacted the two local colleges who used to drop brochures for adult classes through the door, I've learnt that they don't exist any more!

There are some online classes, or courses to get back into work, and some painting type classes - or U3A if you are semi-retired (I am far from that unfortunately!). But no general education classes.

I found this very depressing. I really wanted to learn something new and connect with local people too. AIBU to be shocked that these sorts of classes are a thing of the past?

I wonder if people really DO want to learn online though? Like a previous poster said, I struggle with just pissing about with online courses. It lacks the dynamism and energy of being in the room and learning.

Agree with this!

I studied a BA&MA in Art History with the OU when I retired and the classes were brilliant (and there were tutorials with real humans available) AND I did it just before the government withdrew their subsidies. Nowadays, unless you don't already have a degree, the costs are astounding. <sniff>.

Same here. Utterly depressing. The very little there is available for those who haven't retired is £200-£300 per term.

These all seem to be virtual though? I've done a course through OU and in theory it was overseen by a local college, but it just involved a few emails. There wasn't anything in person, and I can't see a way of looking for in-person classes?

People don't need any qualifications to do a degree with the Open University and it can be funded by Student Finance.

Yes agree in my area ( Cumbria ) the choice is very poor . Ok for ESOL , or entry level for English or maths or perhaps the certificate for basic food hygiene but that's your lot .

I used to go to French and German evening classes. I met some lovely people and really enjoyed the classes. There is nothing like that round here. I shall join U3A when I retire though.

OU I did a few good courses with them, from maths to creative writing. I wasn't aiming for a degree just courses I fancied, there are face to face tutorials on some and lively forums.

I totally agree. I'm unable to work as we have no childcare and would love nothing better than to do some foreign languages during the day. There used to be loads of adult education centres around

It costs money to fund it. Colleges often have to prioritise vocational learning. Also the conditions offered to staff often make recruitment and retention difficult and student numbers often make courses unviable.

It's a shame.

Obviously, it depends on the person, but for me, god yes. I learnt so much better by reading and doing, than by having to listen to someone speak. My attention doesn't drift if I'm self learning, whereas it does when listening to a lecture.

@Greybeardy thanks for this.

@Goldfsh

My mum & her friends (SAHMs) did loads of courses ranging from GSCEs to hobbies when I was a dc. I looked for things a few years ago & couldn't find much. Now I have increased my hours so little time.

@snoopymug there is a glut of classes near me eg tap, ballet, yoga but all day time. So frustrating. My sister works p/t by choice (no dc) & it's to facilitate her sports classes, she said it's not uncommon amongst her peers.

My local authority is absolutely slashing its adult education budget, and losing about 50% of the staff. I can’t imagine it’s the only cash strapped council to do so. It’s not seen as worthy as libraries, and if you ask the public the only thing they care about is bin collections and potholes so it’s always going to be at the bottom of the pile.

I’ve had a look on the links here and there’s nothing in my area.

There’s stuff like wreath making workshops for Christmas, or make a silver bangle, but they’re all during the day when I’m at work and I actually want to do a proper course, not a one off thing you do in an afternoon.

Our college used to do loads of courses, as I said, my mum did a dressmaking pattern making course a few years ago, lasted a good few weeks. There used to be a whole load of these types of courses - jewellery making, photography, sewing, etc, but they’ve all gone.

We used to have GCSE and A level courses run as evening classes too, but they don't do them anymore either

I’ve also been looking for a yoga and a Pilates class, they’re all on during the day but nothing in the evenings

And my mum & her friends would stick us in the free onsite crèche.

I feel exactly the same, DD has just started 2nd year and I wanted to do new things and meet people after years of evenings and weekends ferrying! DH is great but I wfh all the time too so was hoping to get of the house more (and avoid the pub!)...........

Have you checked out what's offered via your local library?

Ours shut in 2016 at the height of ‘austerity’. I was a teacher there. A consultant was paid a huge amount of money to privatise it all. We teachers were told adult education was ‘not a statutory service’. We used to have classes for hobbies, learning English & maths and for adults with disabilities. We had a cafe, a garden, an allotment and a pottery kiln. It was a lovely, inclusive place to work, where all mixed together.

I'm going to be honest here but I just don't think it's a priority.
English or Maths is available for those that didn't gain the GCSEs (or equivalent) previously but if adults want to learn something for "fun" then there's plenty of groups/societies/classes around that they can do.
If a particular qualification is needed for a change of job then that is usually done via the job these days (probably online).

Your last point (career change) is very pertinent - I know a lot of women who want a career change post-children, but have no real routes in.

Look for weekend or day workshops and n creative stuff. All the ones round us are in the day so if you woke you can’t go.
i asked why and they said there was no demand.

Austerity, the gift that keeps on taking.

But what qualifications would be needed for a change of career that you couldn't do on the job or online?
As I said the basics of English and Maths are available. Open University for those that would need a degree.

I used to try to do at least 1 new thing per year -stained glass windows, pottery, jewellery making, Spanish, garden design .... Not a chance now though!

It was only when I was contracted to restructure a university that I found out a few years before there had been an FE crisis- but unlike unis, the DofE had quietly let them sink.

I think the reality was the model was so old fashioned (many FE colleges offering courses well below cost, subsidised by the government) that by the time it hit crisis, there was no appetite to reform. No public interest so it was easy.