Korean Adults' Key Competences: Analysis of National Data of ALL Survey

In the global economy, the quality of labor in a country is essential in determining its competitiveness. The OECD has performed surveys on competencies to make an international comparison of the stock of human resources, and to find implications for education and training. Korea has participated in the OECD ALL (Adult Literacy and life skills) survey in 2002 and the main survey was completed at the beginning of 2005. The household survey included 5,506 adults aged between 16 and 65, measuring prose literacy, document literacy, numeracy and problem skills. The purpose of this study was to analyze the national data of the ALL survey in order to examine factors influencing skills formation and skill loss of Korean adults, and to find policy implications for lifelong learning and human resources development. The compilation of international data of ALL survey is due for completion in 2007