«Silver» education as a resource for regional development

The article considers the educational level, needs and activities of the ‘third age’, and the readiness of the Sverdlovsk Region to develop practices of ‘silver’ education. The object of research - practices of ‘silver’ education in the region and the readiness of pensioners and pre-retirees to participate in them. The research is based on the authors’ concept of ‘silver’ education as a resource for preserving and developing the social community of the ‘third age’. The theoretical framework of the study combines the key ideas of the theories of adult education, continuing education, human capital and resource capacity. Main research methods are analysis of educational and demographic statistics, regulations and government programs, secondary analysis of sociological data, a survey in the Sverdlovsk Region (respondents older than 45 years), and an expert survey. According to the authors’ hypothesis, today the regional system of ‘silver’ education cannot serve as a resource for its development, since neither the ‘third age’ community nor the region is ready for it. The authors present the following main results of the research: interpretation of the ‘third age’ social community and estimates of its educational level; educational needs and activities of the ‘third age’ in the Sverdlovsk Region; the readiness of the region to develop practices of ‘silver’ education. The results of the research can be useful for the public policy in the interests of the older generation and the regional development. The authors conclude that it is necessary to develop a concept of the regional ‘silver’ education system and a corresponding policy for improving the quality of the ‘third age’ educational capital.