The learning society revisited

Patrick Ainley invites us to consider the concept of the ‘Learning Society’. He says that the government and the CBI define the ‘learning society’ as ‘one that systematically increases the skills and knowledge of all its members to exploit technological innovation and so gain a competitive edge for the services in fast-changing global markets.’ He then describes how we are witnessing ‘rampant qualification inflation’ as it seems that more and more people want and need to get qualifications, and that this is leading not to a ‘learning society’ but to a ‘certified society’. In the ‘Learning Society’ today: ‘knowledge and skills are individualised and limited to portfolios of information and competence, while learning is separated from leisure and popular culture. Education and training’s main purpose becomes social control outside of work and managing organisational change within employment.’ Ainley says that what is required is a re-establishment of the central role of education, science and the arts in society to ‘stimulate thought and develop new knowledge and skills to deal with a rapidly changing reality.’ He concludes by noting that ‘only information combined with democracy can provide the knowledge and skills necessary for survival in a real ‘Learning Society.’