Description

Continuing education providers have been adversely affected by the measures to slow the spread of the coronavirus, and it is expected that the continuing education sector in Switzerland will change significantly as a result. In this project, PH Zurich researchers systematically analyse the developments with the aim of identifying aspects that could restrict the ability of various demographics to participate in continuing education courses. The focus is on the following questions:

• How have continuing education courses and programmes changed in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic?
• What new courses and formats have been developed by continuing education providers?
• What implications do these changes and innovations have for participation in continuing education?

The focus is on institutions whose continuing education programmes generally target socially disadvantaged groups (e.g. low-skilled employees or people with a migration background) as well as on providers of professional development courses for individuals with higher qualifications.

Qualitative-explorative research methodologies are applied, as these issues are completely new and no empirical findings are available. Case studies from the practice at selected continuing education institutions provide the basis for group discussions and in-depth interviews with persons responsible for planning courses and programmes as well as with instructors.

Publications