Education, training and wellbeing The famous English writer and
social commentator, G. K. Chesterton, once described education
as '. . . the soul of a society as it passes from one generation
to another.' While some may find this metaphor broad, few would
argue the importance of education to our personal identity and
to social wellbeing. Education and training are directly related
to the concept of social capability outlined in Chapter One.
Learning even the most basic language, social and practical
skills can give an individual the capacity to live an
independent life. Higher learning allows people to interact even
more fully with society and to pursue more ambitious goals. At
its most powerful, education may provide an individual with a
fulfilling and financially rewarding career and/or the capacity
to contribute to society in areas such as politics, science,
journalism, design, literature, engineering or other
professions. In other words, education and training provide an
individual with the potential for