The learning intentions of low-qualified employees: A multilevel approach

In the continuously changing society and knowledge intensive economy, the demand for the recurrent updating of competencies is coming to the fore for all employees, including low-qualified employees. Employees are considered low-qualified when they do not have a starters-qualification for higher education.. While many educational studies have focused on fostering learning under favorable circumstances, learning under less favorable circumstances – such as fewer career prospects and restricted possibilities for professional and personal development associated with low-qualifications – has received fairly little attention. Participants in this cross-sectional survey-based study were 246 low-qualified employees from 8 different organizations. Results of the multilevel analyses show gender differences, and differences between employees with different types of employment contracts. In addition, the seniority of employees showed a negative relation with learning intentions. Finally, learning intentions were positively predicted by self-directedness, financial satisfaction and perceived support for learning.status: publishe