* Top psychologist calls for people to do something different
* Fifteen per cent havent read a book for pleasure in the past year
* New learning opportunities now created across the country
Two fifths (41%) of those working in the transport and distribution sector havent learnt a new activity or hobby, while fifteen per cent havent read a book for pleasure during the past 12 months, according to new research out today from The Department For Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS).
Last year a BIS consultation found that people were keen to take up learning opportunities if they were made available and easy to find. Following the consultation the Government committed an additional 30 million during 2009/10 to support informal adult learning under the banner of The Learning Revolution.
Encouragingly, workers within the transport and distribution sector were enthusiastic about learning something new, with over a third (37%) saying they felt that learning a new skill or hobby would make them more confident at work. The thing they would most like to learn is photography (26%), followed by martial arts (8%).
The findings come as the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council (MLA) becomes the latest organisation to open up spaces for The Learning Revolution, with new opportunities planned around the country for accessible, affordable learning.
Ben Fletcher, Occupational and Health Psychologist at the University of Hertfordshire said:
A third of workers in the transport and distribution sector say they arent interested in learning a new skill, so the big barriers are likely to be around access. As such, new learning opportunities are great news for the millions of people who want to broaden their horizons.
People really grow from informal learning, both personally and professionally. This research reveals that we now need to take the next step do something different and break the habit of inertia that prevents us from getting more from our lives and gives something back to society too.
The Learning Revolution, launched by the BIS last year, seeks to offer adults the opportunity to develop their skills and knowledge further through informal adult learning, allowing them to make the most of their spare time. The Government is urging public, private and voluntary sector organisations to open their spaces for informal learning.
Kevin Brennan, Minister for Further Education and Skills, said:
Informal learning keeps people mentally and physically active, and is also great for meeting others and making friends.
Craft classes, knitting circles and family history projects are all looking for places to meet, so it's good to see more and more organisations providing space for them to do this. But there's so much more that can be done.
"Offices, libraries, pubs and galleries could all provide free or low cost meeting places either occasionally or on a regular basis. We want to see even more spaces opened up to help create an 'open space' movement that can benefit everyone."
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