4 May 2026

Motivation for Adult Learning – New Publication

The latest issue of the Austrian journal erwachsenenbildung.at features an article by Günter Hefler and Eva Steinheimer on the development of adults’ motivation to continue their education.

The magazine erwachsenenbildung.at (Meb) is an Austrian pro­fes­sio­nal journal for adult education published by the Federal Ministry for Women, Science and Research and the Austrian Federal Institute for Adult Education. It aims to foster dialogue between research and practice.

The current issue focuses on adult education from a life-course per­spec­ti­ve. Across 15 articles, the authors explore how bio­gra­phi­cal expe­ri­en­ces shape edu­ca­tio­nal processes in adulthood. Topics range from moti­va­ti­on for or decisions against par­ti­ci­pa­ti­on in education in adulthood to critical life events as trigger points for learning. In addition, the issue high­lights per­spec­ti­ves and approa­ches to dis­cus­sion such as systemic and histo­ri­cal per­spec­ti­ves on lifelong learning.

Günter Hefler and Eva Steinheimer con­tri­bu­ted an article on the emergence of moti­va­ti­on for taking up education in adulthood. They inve­sti­ga­te the cir­cum­stances under which adults decide to re-engage in education after periods of non-par­ti­ci­pa­ti­on, focusing on the interplay between life events, deve­lo­p­men­tal tasks and changing life cir­cum­stances. The article also demon­stra­tes how these processes and dynamics across the life course can be condensed and visua­li­sed through life structure diagrams.

The full issue can be down­loa­ded here.

image by Julia Ly on Unsplash


Contact: Günter Hefler

25 Sep

Pact for Skills and European Alliance for Apprenticeships Support Services

Since July 2026, 3s has been working alongside Ecorys on the redesigned support services for the Pact for Skills and the European Alliance for Apprenticeships, commissioned by DG EMPL.

23 Sep

Working in the EU: Commission adopts Fair Labour Mobility Package

The European Commission has adopted a package on fair labour mobility aimed at making it easier to prove social security entitlements and use qualifications across EU borders.

17 Aug

Policy Pointers for the Implementation of Learning Outcomes

Cedefop is developing policy pointers to support the transformation of intended into achieved learning outcomes. The recommendations are based on a study examining this process in ten European countries.

9 Jul

Global part­ner­ships for excel­lence in voca­tio­nal education and training

Monika Auzinger participated in the Global Symposium Partnership for Excellence! in Turin, which focused on international approaches to strengthening vocational excellence.

25 Sep

Pact for Skills and European Alliance for Apprenticeships Support Services

Since July 2026, 3s has been working alongside Ecorys on the redesigned support services for the Pact for Skills and the European Alliance for Apprenticeships, commissioned by DG EMPL.

23 Sep

Working in the EU: Commission adopts Fair Labour Mobility Package

The European Commission has adopted a package on fair labour mobility aimed at making it easier to prove social security entitlements and use qualifications across EU borders.

17 Aug

Policy Pointers for the Implementation of Learning Outcomes

Cedefop is developing policy pointers to support the transformation of intended into achieved learning outcomes. The recommendations are based on a study examining this process in ten European countries.

25 Sep

Pact for Skills and European Alliance for Apprenticeships Support Services

Since July 2026, 3s has been working alongside Ecorys on the redesigned support services for the Pact for Skills and the European Alliance for Apprenticeships, commissioned by DG EMPL.

23 Sep

Working in the EU: Commission adopts Fair Labour Mobility Package

The European Commission has adopted a package on fair labour mobility aimed at making it easier to prove social security entitlements and use qualifications across EU borders.

25 Sep

Pact for Skills and European Alliance for Apprenticeships Support Services

Since July 2026, 3s has been working alongside Ecorys on the redesigned support services for the Pact for Skills and the European Alliance for Apprenticeships, commissioned by DG EMPL.

23 Sep

Working in the EU: Commission adopts Fair Labour Mobility Package

The European Commission has adopted a package on fair labour mobility aimed at making it easier to prove social security entitlements and use qualifications across EU borders.

>all news