In the spotlight : a NIACE briefing on participation in learning by adults from minority ethnic groups

When account is taken of the younger age profile of Britain's black and minority ethnic communities, it is clear that the levels of adult participation in learning are strikingly low in some, but not all, groups.

The different experience of different groups is the starkest finding: for instance, adults from Bangladeshi and Pakistani communities fare worse than all other groups.

Yet it is clear that the apparent cycle of low or no qualifications and poor participation rates disguises deeper, more complicated truths.

When Bangladeshi adults begin to get qualifications their participation rates soar; Bangladeshi and Pakistani adults in work are much more likely to learn than those outside it; and Bangladeshi and Pakistani adults are exceptionally active in self-organised as distinct from taught learning.

These results leave room for sustained activity to ensure that all Britain's communities can benefit from the government's commitment to securing economic prosperity and social cohesion through lifelong learning.