Survey of Adult Skills (PIAAC)
What kind of survey is it?
The Survey of Adult Skills (Programme for the International Assessment of Adult Competencies – PIAAC) provides information on the skills and work experience of adults. It is the most comprehensive adult skills survey ever conducted. The survey covers mainly OECD countries.
Who commissions the survey?
In Estonia, the survey is conducted by the Ministry of Education and Research in cooperation with Statistics Estonia. The survey is commissioned by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).
Why are the data needed?
The Survey of Adult Skills collects information on skills needed for individuals to participate in society and for economies to prosper: literacy, searching for information, and computer and information technology skills. Information on education and work experience is also collected. The data gathered are used to compare the level of skills, education and training opportunities of the population across countries, as well as the competitiveness of countries in the knowledge economy. It helps to understand how Estonian adults are doing compared with their peers in other countries.
The data can be used to draw conclusions about the skills development of adults and to examine the links between key cognitive skills and variables, such as educational background, work experience, training, and the home environment. The results of the survey are taken into account in decision-making on education, training, and working life. For instance, the data from previous studies have been used in the development of the Information Society Development Plan and the Lifelong Learning Strategy, as well as in the improvement of curricula and professional standards in vocational schools.
How often is the survey conducted?
The survey is administered every 10 years. The first Survey of Adult Skills was conducted in 2010–2012. The next one will be carried out in 2021–2023 in two cycles: the first, smaller cycle, in 2021, and the second, larger cycle, in 2022–2023.
How are the participants selected?
The survey is targeted at all Estonian residents aged 16–65. Participants are drawn at random from the Statistical Population Register. 3,200 people are invited to participate in the first cycle of the survey and 13,000 in the second cycle.
How are the data collected?
Before the survey starts, a notification is sent to all the people in the sample, explaining the purpose of the survey and how they will be contacted. The notification is sent to the sampled person at the email address indicated in the population register. If no email address is available, a letter is sent by post to the address in the population register.
In this survey, data are collected through a face-to-face interview.
Where are the results published?
The results of the survey are published on the websites of the Ministry of Education and Research and the OECD.
How can I make sure that it is a survey by Statistics Estonia?
The interview is conducted by a specially trained interviewer. The names of Statistics Estonia's interviewers can be checked here. An individual who has been included in a survey can ask for the interviewer's proof of employment. If you have any questions, please contact our customer support by phone at +372 625 9300 or by e-mail at klienditugi [at] stat.ee (klienditugi[at]stat[dot]ee).