An adult educator means a specialist who supports the learning and personal development of adults in a purposefully created learning situation.Adults are educated in educational institutions of different kinds and with different ownerships. Therefore, the working conditions of and the requirements for educatorslargely depend on the educational institution.

The level of initial training of teachers and trainers working in the field of adult education is determined by the type of educational institution where the person works. In formal education, trainers are usually required to possess higher education or an academic degree, in non-formal education this is not regulated in any way.

With the support of the European Social Fund-financed programmes, new trainers are trained and opportunities are offered for trainers’ continuing education.

When drawing up formal education and continuing education curricula for trainers of adults, educational institutions can rely upon the professional standard for trainer of adults.

The professional standard for trainers of adults establishes the fields of work and positions to which the standard is applied. He or she may teach at an upper secondary school for adults, vocational school (incl. run courses for adults), continuing education centre of a higher education institution, consultation or training company, non-formal education centre or the training centre of an institution or enterprise. The job title of a trainer of adults may be a teacher of adults, a lecturer, a teaching staff member, a trainer, a consultant, etc. The professional standard also describes the content of work of a trainer of adults and the competencies he or she must possess. The professional qualification of a trainer of adults may be applied for by a person from any speciality or vocation who teaches or supervises adults as a tutor or mentor. Applying for the qualification is voluntary.