Recruiter's Glossary

Examples: Blueprint Reading • Registered Apprenticeship • Trade Certificate

Adult Education

Term from Vocational Training industry explained for recruiters

Adult Education refers to teaching and training programs designed specifically for adult learners who have completed or left traditional schooling. It includes various types of instruction from basic skills and literacy to professional development and career advancement courses. Unlike teaching children, adult education focuses on practical, immediately applicable skills and takes into account learners' life experience and work commitments. This field is also sometimes called continuing education, professional development, or lifelong learning. Adult educators need to understand how grown-ups learn differently from children and use teaching methods that respect their students' existing knowledge and time constraints.

Examples in Resumes

Developed and delivered Adult Education programs reaching over 200 learners annually

Created engaging Adult Education curriculum for professional certification courses

Led Adult Education initiatives focusing on workplace skills development

Implemented innovative Continuing Education programs for career advancement

Managed Professional Development courses for corporate clients

Typical job title: "Adult Education Instructors"

Also try searching for:

Adult Education Instructor Adult Learning Specialist Continuing Education Coordinator Professional Development Trainer Adult Education Program Manager Workforce Development Specialist Adult Learning Consultant

Where to Find Adult Education Instructors

Professional Organizations

Job Boards

Professional Networks

• LinkedIn Adult Education Professionals
• LinkedIn Adult Education Groups
• Education Job Boards

Example Interview Questions

Senior Level Questions

Q: How would you develop and implement a new adult education program from scratch?

Expected Answer: Look for answers that demonstrate experience in needs assessment, curriculum development, budget management, and program evaluation. They should mention stakeholder engagement, marketing strategies, and measuring program success.

Q: How do you stay current with adult education trends and incorporate them into your programs?

Expected Answer: Strong candidates should discuss professional development activities, industry conferences, research practices, and examples of successfully implementing new teaching methods or technologies.

Mid Level Questions

Q: What strategies do you use to engage adult learners with different learning styles?

Expected Answer: Should describe various teaching methods like group discussions, hands-on activities, visual aids, and how they adapt their approach based on student needs and feedback.

Q: How do you assess adult learners' progress and adjust your teaching accordingly?

Expected Answer: Look for discussion of both formal and informal assessment methods, feedback collection, and examples of how they modified their teaching approach based on assessment results.

Junior Level Questions

Q: What do you understand about how adults learn differently from children?

Expected Answer: Should mention key principles of adult learning like practical application, respect for experience, self-direction, and the importance of relevant, immediately useful content.

Q: How would you handle a student who is struggling with the course material?

Expected Answer: Should discuss approaches like one-on-one support, alternative explanations, additional resources, and sensitivity to adult learners' pride and time constraints.