Adult education fulfils an important societal role. On the one hand, it equips learners with the knowledge, skills and attitudes required for personal development, social participation, continued participation in education, the exercise of a profession, or the acquisition of language proficiency. On the other hand, it enables learners to obtain recognised educational qualifications. 

In this regard, adult education is different from other public training providers such as VDAB and Syntra Flanders. To this day, adult education remains responsible for awarding recognised educational qualifications, such as a diploma of secondary education. Adult education therefore falls under the responsibility of the policy domain of education. 

Adult learning, however, encompasses a much broader range of education and training opportunities and is a shared responsibility across several policy domains: 

This list is not exhaustive, but it covers the main education and training opportunities provided by public actors.