This briefing note provides insights from a pan-European opinion survey conducted by Cedefop. This survey explores what adults living in the European Union (EU), Iceland and Norway think about adult learning and continuing vocational education and training (CVET), given that image and perceptions influence action. The survey defines adult learning and CVET as any learning activities undertaken by adults (employed or not) with the intention of improving their knowledge or skills. The questionnaire asked about the value of adult learning and CVET in producing desired outcomes and benefits for individuals (such as personal, skill and career development and personal financial situation), society and the economy (such as lower unemployment) and for countries (such as social cohesion). The positive image of CVET emerging from the survey gives policy-makers a strong basis for strengthening adult learning and CVET and establishing them as a standard path accessible to all adults. Building on the answers, survey findings construct the image people have of adult learning and CVET. The findings are in two volumes. The first, "Perceptions on adult learning and continuing vocational education and training in Europe," looks at individual countries. The second volume looks at different demographic and socioeconomic groups across all participating countries and will be published in 2021. [For "Perceptions on Adult Learning and Continuing Vocational Education and Training in Europe. Volume 1: Second Opinion Survey. Member States," see ED610606.]