Adult Education Survey 2022 National Reference Metadata in Single Integrated Metadata Structure (SIMS) Compiling agency: INSEE - French NSI DARES - French national statistical authority for Ministry of Labour

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1. Contact 2. Metadata update 3. Statistical presentation 4. Unit of measure 5. Reference Period 6. Institutional Mandate 7. Confidentiality 8. Release policy 9. Frequency of dissemination 10. Accessibility and clarity 11. Quality management 12. Relevance 13. Accuracy 14. Timeliness and punctuality 15. Coherence and comparability 16. Cost and Burden 17. Data revision 18. Statistical processing 19. Comment Related Metadata Annexes (including footnotes)

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1. Contact | Top
1.1. Contact organisation | INSEE - French NSI DARES - French national statistical authority for Ministry of Labour
1.2. Contact organisation unit | INSEE - DERA - Division Emploi DARES - SD-SEPEFP - Département Formation professionnele et Alternance
1.5. Contact mail address | INSEE - 88 avenue Verdier, CS 70058, 92541 Montrouge Cedex DARES - 39-43, quai André Citroën, 75010 Paris

2. Metadata update | Top
2.1. Metadata last certified | 17/01/2024
2.2. Metadata last posted | 17/01/2024
2.3. Metadata last update | 17/01/2024

3. Statistical presentation | Top
The collection of AES data in France is covered by the Lifelong Learning 2022 survey. The survey is the reissue of the French Adult Education Survey (AES), which is completed by a skills module inspired by the previous Information and Daily Life French surveys (IVQ). The survey aims to measure and characterize on the one hand the participation of adults in education and training, according to concepts defined at European level, and on the other hand the skills of adults in situations of everyday life (writing, calculation, use of internet). The training part (AES) makes it possible, among other things, to describe the training courses followed (level, field, duration, etc.) and the profile of the people who benefit from them. It also allows to know the difficulties encountered in accessing training or the reasons for not taking it. A module on the knowledge and use of regulatory actions to facilitate access to education and training in France was added as in the previous editions. Sociodemographic variables (age, sex, diploma, situation on the labour market etc.) make it possible to carry out studies differentiated by public.
3.1. Data description
The Adult Education Survey (AES) covers adults’ participation in education and training (formal - FED, non-formal - NFE and informal learning - INF). The 2022 AES focuses on people aged 18-69. The reference period for the participation in education and training is the twelve months prior to the interview. Information available from the AES is grouped around the following topics: Participation in formal education, non-formal education and training and informal learning Volume of instruction hours Characteristics of the learning activities Reasons for participating Obstacles to participation Access to information on learning possibilities and guidance Employer financing and costs of learning Self-reported language skills For further information see the 2022 AES legislation (http://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/web/education-and-training/legislation) and the 2022 AES implementation manual (http://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/web/education-and-training/methodology).
3.2. Classification system
- Classification of Learning Activities (CLA, 2016 edition) - International Standard Classification of Education 2011 (ISCED 2011) - Classification of Occupations 2008 (ISCO 08) - Classification of economic activities Rev. 2 (NACE Rev. 2)
3.3. Coverage - sector
AES covers all economic sectors.
3.4. Statistical concepts and definitions
Definitions as well as the list of variables covered are available in the 2022 AES implementation manual (http://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/web/education-and-training/methodology).
3.5. Statistical unit
Households, individuals, non-formal learning activities.
3.6. Statistical population
Individuals aged 18-69 living in private households.
3.7. Reference area
France. In the 2022 edition the geographical field has evolved, French Overseas Departments are covered as well as Metropolitan France.
3.8. Coverage - Time
AES data collection is available at national level for 2012, 2016 and 2022. France also participated in the 2007 pilot survey.
3.9. Base period
Not applicable.

4. Unit of measure | Top
Number, hours, EUR.

5. Reference Period | Top
Fieldwork for 2022 AES: 19.9.2022 - 31.3.2023

6. Institutional Mandate | Top
6.1. Institutional Mandate - legal acts and other agreements
At European level: Basic legal act: Regulation (EU) 2019/1700 Implementing act: Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2021/861 Delegated act: Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2021/859 At national level: Beyond the institutional legal framework, the committees that give INSEE the right and legitimacy to collect these data are: The National Council for Statistical Information (CNIS) contributes to the establishment of the official statistics programme for the following year. In particular, it examines the relevance of new projects proposed by INSEE with regard to users' needs, whether they involve a survey, a census, a panel or the use of administrative files. The work focuses on the purpose of the project, its place in the information system and the means of dissemination envisaged. Each operation must meet a need of general interest and not duplicate existing information sources. Following this examination, the CNIS may issue an opinion on the appropriateness of the project. Once the opinion has been issued, the Official Statistics Label Committee ensures that the operation complies with statistical quality criteria. Thus, in the case of a survey project, it analyses the collection and sampling method (sample design, data adjustment method, treatment of non-responses guaranteeing the reliability of the results, etc.), the relevance of the questioning and the adaptation of the dissemination to the announced objectives. It also ensures that the survey does not place an excessive burden on the respondents, that consultation has taken place with the partners concerned and that the wishes expressed by the CNIS during the debate on the opportunity to conduct the survey have been taken into account. Following this examination, the Label Committee can issue a compliance opinion. Survey of general interest and statistical quality, with compulsory nature, VISA n° 2022X066TV
6.2. Institutional Mandate - data sharing
Not applicable.

7. Confidentiality | Top
7.1. Confidentiality - policy
At the national level, Article 6 of Law No. 51-711 of 7 June 1951, as amended, on the obligation, coordination and secrecy of statistics determines what statistical secrecy is, its limits and the conditions for its application. These rules apply to surveys conducted by the official statistical service (SSP) whether or not they are mandatory. The derogations provided for in this article are governed by the law. As it stands, the only exemptions that remain applicable are those relating to the status of public archives for surveys and censuses, which authorise the disclosure of individual information contained in the questionnaires and relating to personal and family life and, in general, to facts and behaviour of a private nature, after a period of 75 years for individuals and 25 years for legal entities. According to the law, this communication cannot be used for tax control or economic repression. Statistical secrecy obligations also apply to administrative data that may be disclosed by INSEE or ministerial statistical offices under the terms of Article 7 bis of the above-mentioned law, as well as to private data disclosed under the terms of Article 3 bis. Generally speaking, as regards access to public data, confidentiality obligations relating to the protection of privacy or business secrecy and the protection of personal data are guaranteed by law (Article 1 of the Law for a Digital Republic). At the European level, the confidentiality of statistical information is affirmed by Article 338 of the Union Treaty. "The compilation of statistics shall respect (...) the confidentiality of statistical information". Statistical confidentiality is also the subject of Chapter V of Regulation 223/2009 as amended and of Implementing Regulation 557/2013 as regards access to confidential data for statistical purposes. A Statistical Confidentiality Committee ensures that these statutory guarantees are maintained. Its powers are set out in Article 6 bis of Act No. 51-711 of 7 June 1951, as amended, on the obligation, coordination and secrecy of statistics and Chapter II of Decree No. 2009-318 of 20 March 2009 on the National Council for Statistical Information and the Statistical Confidentiality Committee. It is called upon to give its opinion on any question relating to statistical secrecy, and gives its opinion on requests for communication of individual data collected by means of a statistical survey or transmitted to the official statistical service, for the purpose of drawing up statistics. It may also be asked by researchers to give an opinion on access to various administrative data not relating to public statistics. Chaired by a State Councillor, it includes representatives of the National Assembly and the Senate. The composition and operating procedures of the committee are set by decree in the Council of State. The beneficiaries of data communications resulting from ministerial decisions taken after the opinion of the Statistical Confidentiality Committee undertake not to communicate these data to anyone. Any breach of the provisions of this paragraph shall be punishable by the penalties provided for in Article 226-13 of the Criminal Code.
7.2. Confidentiality - data treatment
Prior to the operation, the responses to the questionnaire are protected by statistical secrecy and are intended for INSEE. Their use and access are strictly controlled and limited to the preparation of statistics or research work. The General Regulation 2016/679 of 27 April 2016 on data protection (RGPD) and Law No. 78-17 of 6 January 1978 on information technology, files and freedoms apply to this survey. Respondents may exercise a right of access, rectification or limitation of processing for data concerning them during the period of conservation of identification data. Downstream, the confidentiality of microdata files is differentiated according to the user: production and research files without identifying variables are made available on the Quételet-Progedo network. a file including potentially identifying variables ("CASD" file) is deposited at the CASD for researchers.

8. Release policy | Top
8.1. Release calendar
First results and national database will be released during 2024 Q2.
8.2. Release calendar access
Publication calendar on www.insee.fr.
8.3. Release policy - user access
Internet users can find all the available statistical data free of charge on the INSEE website, as well as the information needed to interpret them correctly. The rules of access are described on www.insee.fr.

9. Frequency of dissemination | Top
Every 6 years.

10. Accessibility and clarity | Top
10.1. Dissemination format - News release
No release yet.
10.2. Dissemination format - Publications
The first results will be published in the "Insee Première" collection. In four pages, the results are presented in short texts, illustrated with graphs and tables.
10.3. Dissemination format - online database
No online database.
10.3.1. Data tables - consultations
Not applicable.
10.4. Dissemination format - microdata access
An anonymised file with non-identifying variables will be available to researchers through a specific network (Centre Quételet: https://data.progedo.fr). Requests can also be addressed to Insee for non-researchers who wish to obtain the file and who are authorized to by the secrecy committee. A file with potentially indirectly identifying variables will be available to the researchers via a Research Data Center (CASD), after the agreement of the Statistical confidentiality committee that verifies the purpose of the research.
10.5. Dissemination format - other
None.
10.5.1. Metadata - consultations
Not applicable.
10.6. Documentation on methodology
All documentation (methodology, questionnaire, release) in French is available here: https://www.insee.fr/fr/metadonnees/source/operation/s2089. This page will be supplemented each time a new document / information is published. Annexes: Presentation of the Lifelong learning survey
10.6.1. Metadata completeness - rate
Not applicable.
10.7. Quality management - documentation
See item 10.6 above.

11. Quality management | Top
11.1. Quality assurance
Since 2005, the European Statistics Code of Practice has been the benchmark for assessing the quality of the output of national statistical institutes. Periodic reviews by European peers are organised to ensure that the principles of this reference framework are implemented and to ensure that each institute is committed to continuous improvement. Within this framework, INSEE has adopted a process-based approach. A range of tools, pooled within the Official Statistical Service (SSP), has been created to describe statistical production processes, analyse their strengths and weaknesses, assess the risks involved, examine their documentation (metadata) or provide expert appraisal of a particular stage (analysis of users' needs, data validation, etc.). The diagnoses resulting from these "quality approaches" lead to the establishment of action plans that are regularly monitored in the context of "process reviews". In addition, INSEE regularly conducts satisfaction surveys on the indicators and data it produces. The results of these surveys are available on the insee.fr website. In addition, with regard to surveys carried out by public statistics producing offices (INSEE, ministerial statistical services, other related bodies such as INED, Céreq, Inserm, etc.), the Label Committee has the task of examining, on behalf of the National Council for Statistical Information (CNIS), all projects for which the approval provided for in Article 2 of the Law of 7 June 1951 is requested. Over time, the Committee has developed a method and a body of case law for examining the files submitted to it. Starting from considerations expressed in terms of the burden or proportionality of the collection to the objectives pursued, the Committee has extended its examination rules to cover all dimensions of statistical quality, as formalised in the European Statistics Code of Practice. For the SSP, the Label Committee thus constitutes a lever for ensuring compliance with these principles, whether in terms of consultation, methodological quality, proportionate burden, dissemination or availability of duly documented statistical sources. On a more strategic level, the INSEE Inspectorate General carries out evaluations, assessments and audits of the Institute's work, its operations and the organisation of its services. Some of these missions focus more specifically on INSEE's key processes.
11.2. Quality management - assessment
The survey has been examined by the Label Committee and has obtained the visa n°2022X066TV from the Minister of Economy and Finance for the 2022 edition. This is a mandatory survey. This operation is subject to a quality approach that will be assessed by the Strategic Quality Committee, which is composed of the Institute's directors, representatives of the regional directors and the heads of the ministerial statistical offices (MSO). This committee is the forum for presenting the results of the quality action plans for the processes it has selected and for analysing the lessons that can be learned from them.

12. Relevance | Top
12.1. Relevance - User Needs
The AES results are intended for many users, including Eurostat, public decision makers, particularly at the Ministry of Labour, and the general public (inseenauts, institutions, media).
12.2. Relevance - User Satisfaction
Questions and complaints can be submitted using the contact form on the insee.fr website.
12.3. Completeness
This operation complies with the regulatory requirements specified in the "Institutional Mandate" section (6.1).
12.3.1. Data completeness - rate
Not applicable.

13. Accuracy | Top
13.1. Accuracy - overall
The AES sample size was calibrated to largely satisfy European precision constraints on the participation of young people in formal training and the participation of other adults in non-formal training. The sub-populations “people aged 18-24”, “unemployed”, “people living in priority areas of city policies” benefited from a specific allocation when the sample was drawn. This aims to calculate more precise results on this specific subpopulation for example.
13.2. Sampling error
Note that estimates are computed at France level but coefficients of variation, standard errors and confidence intervals are provided only for Metropolitan France. The sampling frame is not the same in Metropolitan France and in the Overseas Departments. But in the Overseas Department there is an over-representation (large sample) which means that the variance calculated on Metropolitan France level is over-estimated.
13.2.1. Sampling error - indicators
See table 13.2.1 “Sampling errors - indicators for 2022 AES key statistics” in annex “FR - QR tables 2022 AES (excel)”.
13.3. Non-sampling error
See the following items.
13.3.1. Coverage error
The sample of dwellings surveyed (main residences in ordinary dwelling) is drawn from the Fideli database (tax database) for Metropolitan France, from the annual census surveys for Overseas Departments except Mayotte and from the cartographic database for Mayotte.
13.3.1.1. Over-coverage - rate
See table 13.3.1.1 “Over-coverage - rate” in annex “FR - QR tables 2022 AES (excel)”.
13.3.1.2. Common units - proportion
Not applicable.
13.3.2. Measurement error
None.
13.3.3. Non response error
See the following items.
13.3.3.1. Unit non-response - rate
See table 13.3.3.1 “Unit non-response - rate” in annex “FR - QR tables 2022 AES (excel)”.
13.3.3.2. Item non-response - rate
See table 13.3.3.2 “Item non-response rate” in annex “FR - QR tables 2022 AES (excel)”.
13.3.4. Processing error
None.
13.3.5. Model assumption error
Not applicable.

14. Timeliness and punctuality | Top
14.1. Timeliness
AES was collected from September 19, 2022 to March 31, 2023.
14.1.1. Time lag - first result
According to the regulation national database was delivered to Eurostat within 6 months after the end of data collection, on September 27, 2023. First national release of the results is planned for 2024 Q2.
14.1.2. Time lag - final result
The data is provisional until the publication of the first French results in 2024 Q2.
14.2. Punctuality
The dissemination calendar is respected. See table 14.2 “Project phases - dates” in annex “FR - QR tables 2022 AES (excel)”.
14.2.1. Punctuality - delivery and publication
Not applicable.

15. Coherence and comparability | Top
15.1. Comparability - geographical
The results are comparable to those of European countries complying with the European IESS regulation. See table 15.1 “Deviations from 2022 AES concepts and definitions” in annex “FR - QR tables 2022 AES (excel)”. No additional variables related to COVID-19 were collected.
15.1.1. Asymmetry for mirror flow statistics - coefficient
Not applicable.
15.2. Comparability - over time
Comparability over time is ensured through the use of stable methods. The change in the geographical field for the 2022 edition compared to previous edition leads to a break in time series: Overseas Department were not included in the previous editions. See table 15.2 “Comparability - over time” in annex “FR - QR tables 2022 AES (excel)”.
15.2.1. Length of comparable time series
Not applicable.
15.3. Coherence - cross domain
See table 15.3 “Coherence - cross-domain” in annex “FR - QR tables 2022 AES (excel)”.
15.3.1. Coherence - sub annual and annual statistics
Not applicable.
15.3.2. Coherence - National Accounts
Not applicable.
15.4. Coherence - internal
AES results for a given data collection round are based on the same microdata and results are calculated using the same estimation methods, therefore the data are internally coherent. The internal consistency of the data was checked: compliance with the additivity of the variables, application of recognised methods for detecting atypical points, etc.

16. Cost and Burden | Top
The cost is estimated as such: the staff involved in administering the survey (statistical team, IT team) were counted as 6 persons (in full-time equivalent, without the interviewers); the direct costs of the survey (including interviewers' salary) were estimated to be around 3.8 million euros; An indicator of burden is the average time for answering the questionnaire (national French module on skills in everyday life excluded): 35 minutes.

17. Data revision | Top
17.1. Data revision - policy
Not applicable.
17.2. Data revision - practice
Not applicable.
17.2.1. Data revision - average size
Not applicable.

18. Statistical processing | Top
18.1. Source data
30,000 households were investigated: 20,000 in metropolitan France and 2,000 per overseas department. The sample of dwellings surveyed (main residences in ordinary dwelling) is drawn from the Fideli database (tax database) for Metropolitan France, from the annual census surveys for Overseas Departments except Mayotte and from the cartographic database for Mayotte. Within each household surveyed, a single individual is randomly selected to answer the main survey questionnaire. See table 18.1 “Source data” in annex “FR - QR tables 2022 AES (excel)”.
18.2. Frequency of data collection
Every 6 years.
18.3. Data collection
Data collection was carried out under computer-assisted collection (CAPI), face-to-face in most cases. See also table 18.1 “Source data” in annex “FR - QR tables 2022 AES (excel)”.
18.4. Data validation
The data were collected by interviewers via CAPI (computer-assisted personal interview), therefore the questionnaire was dematerialised and the values automatically inserted in a raw production file on each interviewer's computer all along the interviews. As a first step, the data were collected region by region: all regional offices of Insee were involved in this data collection and compilation. They selected and trained interviewers. Interviewers met the people to be interviewed, collected the data and sent their raw file to the local entity at the regional Insee office entitled to receive them for integrity checks and compilation. Each regional Insee office was in charge of the collection and compilation of the data regarding the local area which is under their responsibility (so that all territory was properly covered). As a second step, all the regional raw files were compiled at national level and a raw national database was made for production purposes, undergoing statistical treatments (completeness of the data, coherence checks, weighting, etc.). Then post-coding operations were performed (see item 18.5) and a final statistical adjustment (see also item 18.5) led to final weights to be used so that results would be representative of the whole population (aged 18-69). 2022 AES results have been compared to 2016 AES results for a first and quick check.
18.5. Data compilation
Some data in particular are post-coded, thanks to open labels to be filled in by interviewers. For instance variables related to the highest level of education attained, fields of training (either formal or non-formal), job occupation are concerned by this post-coding (e.g. name of a diploma, of a school programme, etc.). The treatments implemented have two stages: a non-response correction model, then calibration on external margins. The correction of non-response is itself done in two stages: 1st step: correction of non-response at household level 2nd step: correction of non-response at the level of the individual drawn at random within the responding households. For Metropolitan France, the data was calibrated to the external margins of the LFS. The external references used are the populations by sex and age group (18-24, 25-34, 35-54, 55-69), the level of education (grouped into ISCED 0-2/3-4/5-8), detailed activity status by socio-professional category, NUTS2 regions, nationality (French vs foreigner) and the fact of living in priority areas of city policies. For the Overseas Departments, the method is generally the same as for Metropolitan France. For calibration, the margins come from population and housing projections, and the population census (population by sex and age group, aggregate education level, aggregate place of birth).
18.5.1. Imputation - rate
See table 18.5.1 “Imputation - rate” in annex “FR - QR tables 2022 AES (excel)”.
18.6. Adjustment
Not applicable.
18.6.1. Seasonal adjustment
Not applicable.

19. Comment | Top
None.

Related metadata | Top

Annexes | Top
FR - QR tables 2022 AES (excel) FR - 2022 AES - national questionnaire