Researchers examined the learning motivation of middle-aged, semiskilled, male Danish workers and barriers preventing them from participating in training. Data were collected through a literature review, a survey of 2,400 individuals from 3 unions, interviews with 11 of the respondents, and visits to adult education institutions. Nearly three-fourths of the respondents had left school after grade 9. Of every 10 respondents, 3 were interested in adult education and had already participated, 3 were interested but had not yet participated, and 4 had no interest in participating. The respondents' preferred forms of training mentioned were labor market training courses, company-arranged inservice training, and union-run programs. The cited barriers to participation included being too old, working at a company with no educational policy, and being too busy. Respondents stated that they would be more likely to participate in training if courses were more directly relevant for their jobs, participating in training did not mean losing money, and courses would lead to higher salaries. Education providers were advised to take the following actions: respect the immediate victims of global postindustrialism; let learning processes be based on social experiments in companies; and have educational institutions go to the people, rather than forcing people to come to them. (MN)