Global Learners' Survey 2020
www.abeuk.com
Overview The survey was sent at the end of December 2020 to people who had enrolled on an ABE Diploma in the previous three to four years. It went to a widely representative sample, from beginners to those who had completed their qualification some time ago, as well those who had to suspend their studies. Altogether, around 1,300 people took part.
Survey objectives To ensure we understand and meet learner aspirations. To gain intelligence on the impact that COVID-19 is having on learners around the world.
Participant demographics Respondents came from across the age spectrum with the highest number being between the ages of 21 to 25.
200
0 16-20
21-25
26-30
31-35
36-40
41 and over
Participants came from 35 countries across four continents, ensuring the survey was internationally representative. The top 5 places for replies were Malawi, Trinidad & Tobago, Guyana, Zambia and Mauritius respectively.
Most respondents are working
Working (74.47%) Studying full-time (11.7%) Looking for work (8.51%) Other (5.32%)
More women than men took part
Female (65%)
Male (35%)
Motivation for study The majority of people, unsurprisingly, stated that the overall reason for choosing to study for a qualification was to gain skills to build a career or to progress in their existing one, 45% planned to use it to go on to university and 45% to gain the skills to run their own business (NB people could select more than one answer in this section).
To build a great new career (63%)
To progress in my existing career (55%)
To go onto a university degree (45%)
To get the skills to run my own business (45%)
Free comments: "To get a better job" Haton, L5 Mauritius "To understand how to be my own boss" Michael, L5 Zambia "Because ABE is also internationally recognised meaning I can work anywhere" Yobe, Malawi "To be a competitive and valuable employee" Aiah, L6 Sierra Leone
"I feel ABE Studies met my needs and expectations because immediately after I acquired Level 5, Diploma in HRM, I was promoted to a supervisory level." Stella, L6 Diploma holder, Malawi
Impact of COVID on education, aspirations and expectations Outside the obvious impacts such job losses and school buildings being closed, learners globally reported that the pandemic has affected their expectations and aspirations. Sadly, a quarter of those surveyed reported that they had lost their job or faced reduced income as a result of the pandemic. Other negative impacts included mums who had had to give up their own education in order to support their children's homeschooling, school leavers who had to drop out of further education due to their parents losing their job. For other students the pressure of being their family's sole breadwinner meant there was limited time left for study. Learners also mentioned that plans to progress to an overseas university had been thwarted.
87% AGREE
COVID has made business and entrepreneurial skills are more important than ever
However, many people also commented that ABE's quick transition to open-book exams and flexibility, in allowing units to be booked one at a time, had enabled them to continue learning albeit at a slower pace in some cases. On the work front, there were also some who had seen opportunity. Many of these people set up online businesses, often areas traditionally catered for by retail outlets. There was also a strong feeling that business and entrepreneurship skills were more crucial than ever. Over half of all those surveyed felt it was now more likely they would need to work for themselves at some point in the future. Respondents recognised that technology was now more crucial to successful learning but 61% found poor internet connectivity was a barrier, this included those in the UK, Germany and Hong Kong.
86% 51% AGREE
Education and professional development are more important than ever
AGREE
COVID has made it more likely I will work for myself
"I recently started a small online business, due to covid. ..this was a great way to reach to customers." Ramona, L5 Diploma holder, Guyana
Feelings about studying for an ABE qualification Despite responses from a wide cross-section of people, from those who had been unable to complete their qualification to those who had graduated from ABE for some time, against all our metrics, well over 90% of participants felt their ABE studies had been worthwhile and of long-term value. Here's what learners told us:
I have business and management skills that will be useful throughout my career
95% agree
agree
I feel more confident about progressing academically
I feel more confident about moving into a management role
95%
96%
93% agree
I would recommend ABE
agree
"Well I can only say, thank you for not cancelling the exam session during the Pandemic otherwise we wouldn't have progressed to the level we are at. Open book exams are not as easy I thought but a better alternative considering the circumstances." Angel, L5, Zambia
"I recently started a small online business, due to covid. ..this was a great way to reach to customers." Ramona, L5 Diploma holder, Guyana
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