Learning, Unlearning and Relearning: Keys for Different Stages of Life

The OECD analysis, Nurturing Engaged and Resilient Lifelong Learners in a World of Digital Transformation, draws on over 230 policies from 35 countries. It identifies key life moments where education policies can truly shape learning trajectories.

Rather than focusing solely on expanding training opportunities, the report calls for strengthening people’s ability to learn, unlearn and relearn. Three elements are essential:

• Will – curiosity, confidence and motivation;
• Skills – cognitive, social and digital foundations;
• Means – time, resources and networks.

Different Approaches for Different Stages of Life

The analysis highlights four critical life stages when individuals are either especially open to learning — or at greater risk of disengagement. At each of these moments, targeted policies can support the will to learn, strengthen essential skills, and remove barriers to participation.

Early Childhood (0–6 years): Sparking Curiosity from the Start

The early years are crucial for developing persistence, motivation and curiosity. Promising policies at this stage:

• Support educators with dedicated time, professional learning and structured guidance;
• Improve quality through effective use of digital tools;
• Foster intersectoral collaboration and family engagement — as in Spain and Czechia, which have expanded access for children aged 0–3 and vulnerable families.

Adolescence (10–16 years): Building Agency and Purpose

Adolescence is a time when young people seek identity and meaning in their learning — but also face a high risk of disengagement. Effective policies at this stage:

• Strengthen social and emotional skills;
• Provide relevant, motivating teaching that builds transversal competencies;
• Integrate career guidance early, as in Finland, where curricula and assessment are being modernised to enhance student motivation and agency.

Mid-Career (35–44 years): Learning Without Pressing Pause

Adults in mid-career often need to train while balancing family and work responsibilities. Successful approaches include:

• Modular, flexible and accredited learning pathways;
• Recognition of skills acquired through work or volunteering, as in Estonia;
• Financial incentives and workplace learning, such as Norway’s government-funded training in foundational and professional skills.

Approaching Retirement (55–65 years): Keeping the Momentum

In later career stages, learning helps maintain motivation, prevent skill loss and support social participation. Priority actions include:

• Valuing experience and prior learning;
• Promoting digital inclusion for older adults;
• Encouraging age-friendly workplaces that support mentoring and intergenerational knowledge transfer.

Building a True Culture of Lifelong Learning

The OECD stresses that a culture of learning depends not just on access but on consistent habits, environments and coherent policies. It means combining clear standards with individual autonomy and collaboration across education, labour and social sectors. When will, capacity and opportunity reinforce one another, lifelong learning becomes not an ideal — but a sustainable reality.

Country Highlights

🇫🇮 Finland – Modernising Curriculum and Assessment
Finland is redesigning secondary curricula and assessment to sustain student engagement and agency, focusing on transversal competencies that foster motivation, perseverance and autonomy.

🇮🇸 Iceland – Cross-Sector Collaboration for Youth
Iceland integrates education, social and health services to support young people holistically, creating learning environments that promote both well-being and academic progress.

🇪🇪 Estonia – Recognising Informal and Work-Based Learning
Estonia’s national system validates skills gained outside formal education — through work, volunteering or informal learning — enabling adults to convert experience into recognised qualifications and advance their careers.

🇳🇴 Norway – Employer-Based Training with Public Support
Norway funds workplace training in basic and job-specific skills, benefiting SMEs and non-standard workers who rarely access formal learning.

🇨🇿 & 🇪🇸 Czechia and Spain – Expanding Early Childhood Access
Both countries have increased access to early childhood education for children aged 0–3 and vulnerable groups, promoting equity and early cognitive and emotional development.

Additional Examples by Stage

🧒 Early Childhood (0–6 years)

• Australia: a national quality framework for early learning, including digital literacy and socio-emotional development.
• South Korea: digital tools integrated into childcare settings to foster exploration and communication.

👧 Adolescence (10–16 years)

• Canada (Ontario): early career orientation with learning portfolios and individual pathway plans to strengthen self-awareness and decision-making.
• Austria: early career education courses in lower secondary school to prevent disengagement.

👩‍💼 Mid-Career (35–44 years)

• Denmark: “training rights” allowing adults to pursue accredited courses with stable financial support.
• Germany: partnerships supporting SME co-financing for training aligned with local labour-market needs.
• Netherlands: modular microcredits to help adults accumulate qualifications progressively.

👵 Approaching Retirement (55–65 years)

• Japan: “social learning” programmes promoting volunteering, intergenerational exchange and knowledge transfer.
• Ireland: community learning centres offering digital literacy, health and cultural activities to sustain social connection.
• South Korea: intergenerational mentoring to value seniors’ experience and foster digital inclusion.

🌐 Cross-Cutting Policies

• Singapore – SkillsFuture: every adult receives renewable learning credits for certified courses, online or in-person.
• Netherlands – LLO Katalysator: a national platform for lifelong learning with recognition of prior learning and micro-certifications.
• Portugal – Centros Qualifica: nationwide adult learning centres providing guidance, recognition of skills and modular training for low-qualified adults.

To learn more:
OECD – Lifelong Learning Skills: How education systems can support learning for life (2024)