After a long period of employment growth that led to the lowest unemployment rate
since the German reunification, Berlin’s labour market is now tightening. Accelerated
by the COVID-19 pandemic, global labour market megatrends such as the automation of
production processes and the increasingly advanced digital skills required to perform
many jobs pose new challenges to Berlin’s policymakers. Preparing and improving its
adult learning system to adapt to the rapidly changing demand for skills will be vital
for the future competitiveness of Berlin’s economy and socio-economic mobility. The
report Future-Proofing Adult Learning in Berlin, Germany analyses strengths and bottlenecks
in Berlin’s adult learning programmes. It stresses the importance of developing a
long-term vision for continuing education and training in Berlin that brings together
different actors from an adult learning landscape that offers a wide range of diverse
services. It further highlights the need to expand local adult learning programmes
that account for the city’s highly dynamic population and labour market.
Published on February 17, 2022Also available in: German