A recent nationwide survey has found that the UK is a nation of wannabe chefs and musicians.
Adult learning
The Festival of Learning survey which aims to highlight the need for more investment and participation in adult learning classes and education, found that 39% of people want to learn to become better cooks, whilst 23% would love to learn to play a musical instrument.
Over 1,000 people were surveyed for their views.
Top skills
The top 10 skills people would love to learn included:
1. Cooking and baking (39%)
2. Playing a musical instrument (23%)
3. Learning a language or languages (21%)
4. Singing (17%)
5. Photography (15%)
6. Dance (13%)
7. DIY (13%)
8. Art (11%)
9. Gardening (11%)
10. Creative Writing (11%)
Improve skills
50% of those polled said they would be prepared to take up a course to enable them to improve their skills in the areas that they would love to learn, with six out of ten (60%) 25 to 34 year olds interested in taking up a course.
The Festival of Learning is led by NIACE (National Institute of Adult Continuing Education) and brings together the wider education and skills community, including employers, charities, professional bodies and government departments to celebrate and promote the many learning opportunities available.
Natural steps
David Hughes, Chief Executive of NIACE stated: “This shows how much we all want to learn new things: It’s a natural part of who we are but it also shows that people need help to take steps to find where and how to learn.
Meanwhile, Paul McManus, chief executive Music for All, added: “We know that making music enriches and changes lives. You are never too old to start to learn (or return to playing) an instrument and at Music for All, we hope that the Festival of Learning encourages you to have a try.”
To Five for Men
The top five activities that men said they would love to be able to do, or be better at are:
1. Playing an instrument (32.5%)
2. Cooking (22.9%)
3. Learning a language (20.6%)
4. DIY (18.1%)
5. Photography (16%)
Top Five for Women
The top five activities that women said they would love to be able to do or be better at are:
1. Cooking (23.6%)
2. Learning a new language or languages (20.7%)
3. Baking (20.3%)
4. Singing (17.7%)
5. Sewing (16.2%)
We know that making music enriches and changes lives. You are never too old to start to learnPaul McManus, chief executive Music for All
Learn
16-54 year olds said they would be most interested in learning to or being better at cooking, whilst 55+ year olds said they would be more interested in learning to or being better at playing an instrument.
1 in 10 men (10.30%) said they would love to be able to learn how to or be better at baking, with almost 1 in 5 (4.30%) also saying they would like to learn to be better at pottery.
