Cooking and music 'are top skills UK adults want to learn'

"Almost two-fifths (39%) of adults would like to be better cooks or bakers, and almost a quarter (23%) of the 1,018 UK adults questioned said they would love to learn a musical instrument." according to a survey commissioned to launch a festival of learning.

Learning new skills is "about people expressing themselves", said David Hughes, of NIACE. 
Photo: BBC News

Half told researchers for the National Institute of Adult Continuing Education (NIACE), they would be willing to take a course to boost their skills.

Learning was "part of who we are", said NIACE chief executive David Hughes. Photo:

"This shows how much we all want to learn new things... but it also shows that people need help to take steps to find where and how to learn."

The top 10 skills respondents expressed an interest in acquiring also included learning a language, 
singing and photography.

1. Cooking and baking - 39%
2. Playing a musical instrument - 23%
3. Learning a language or languages - 21%
4. Singing - 17%
5. Photography - 15%
6. Dance - 13%
7. DIY - 13%
8. Art - 11%
9. Gardening - 11%
10. Creative writing - 11%

Among 25- to 34-year-olds, the proportion interested in taking up a course in their favoured subject rose to 60%. 

Mr Hughes said the survey results showed how important it was to encourage people "to take the leap and go for it, whatever their level of education".

"All of the top skills people would love to learn most are about people expressing themselves, who they are, what they stand for," he said.

"The confidence learning those skills brings are crucial for everyone in life and in work."
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Source: BBC News