In today’s world, staying relevant and competitive requires a commitment to continuous learning and professional development. The rapid pace of technological change and shifting industry landscapes demand that individuals and organisations prioritise lifelong learning to remain adaptable and thrive.
In the CYPHER Learning survey 2023, employees reported that high-quality training left them feeling “truly enlightened, invigorated, highly valued and empowered” by their employers, recognising the continuous investment in their development, which reveals a direct correlation between learning, career growth, and workplace satisfaction.
This article will explore the importance of lifelong learning, digital tools that support lifelong learning, and strategies for fostering a culture of continuous growth and career advancement within an organisation.
Why Lifelong Learning Matters
Lifelong learning is the ongoing pursuit of knowledge, skills, and personal development throughout an individual’s life. It encompasses formal learning (e.g., education, training programmes), informal learning (e.g., self-directed learning, online courses) and experiential learning (e.g., learning on the job, volunteering), etc.
Lifelong learning is essential for staying relevant in the digital age. With technological advancements happening at an unprecedented rate, employees must continually upgrade their skills to remain employable. Moreso, the modern work environment is characterised by rapid change, uncertainty, and complexity, making it crucial for individuals to be agile and adaptable.
By embracing lifelong learning, individuals can stay ahead of the curve, enhance their career prospects, and achieve personal growth. Without personal development, we risk stagnation and missed opportunities. University degrees ignite potential, but lifelong learning fuels success.
Today’s professionals must adapt, upskill, and reskill to stay relevant. Lifelong learning is no longer a choice, but a necessity for career growth and personal fulfilment.
The Benefits of Lifelong Learning
Evidence consistently shows that the benefits of lifelong learning are numerous. Some of the most significant advantages include:
Career Advancement: Lifelong learning can lead to career advancement opportunities, as individuals develop new skills and expertise that are in high demand.
63% of employees say they have seen a salary increase after acquiring new skills (Indeed 2022).
Increased Job Satisfaction: Continuous learning and professional development can lead to increased job satisfaction, as individuals feel more engaged, motivated, and fulfilled in their work.
72% of employees say learning new skills has improved their job satisfaction (LinkedIn Learning)
Improved Adaptability: Lifelong learning enables individuals to adapt more easily to changing circumstances, including technological advancements and shifting industry landscapes.
Relevance & Mobility: Prioritising lifelong learning through upskilling and reskilling keeps employees current as roles and industries evolve, while expanding career options, increasing earning potential, and opening new opportunities.
60% of employees upskill to stay relevant in their current role (Gartner, 2022)
Innovation: Upskilling and reskilling can also drive innovation, as individuals bring new perspectives and expertise to their work.
Strategies for Fostering a Culture of Lifelong Learning
So, how can individuals, organisations, and educational institutions promote lifelong learning?
Here are some strategies to consider:
Provide access to online courses and training programmes: Offer employees or members access to online courses, training programmes, and workshops that align with their interests and career goals. There are numerous learning platforms that organisations can subscribe to, ensuring and supporting employee upskilling and development.
To prioritise employee learning, organisations can dedicate 60-90 minutes to uninterrupted learning each week (‘no-meeting hour’) and track team adherence (e.g., targeting 75%). This ensures employees have dedicated time for upskilling without interruptions.
Encourage an agile mindset and experimentation: Foster a culture that encourages experimentation, risk-taking, and continuous improvement. Organisations can run monthly lunch and learn sessions where teams present a 5-minute learning application from their previous study session.
Foster a culture of feedback and continuous improvement: Encourage regular feedback, reflection, and evaluation to drive growth and development. Encourage managers and leaders to regularly provide immediate and constructive feedback. Management can also support and appreciate learning champions to encourage learning and personal development.
Support mentorship and coaching: Pair learners with experienced mentors or coaches who can provide guidance, support, and feedback.
The Role of Technology in Lifelong Learning
Digital tools and platforms play a critical role in facilitating lifelong learning. With digital learning tools, learning can occur outside the four walls of a classroom. Some of the most effective technologies supporting lifelong learning include:
- Online Courses and MOOCs: Online courses and MOOCs (Massive Open Online Courses) provide flexible, accessible learning opportunities that can be tailored to individual needs and interests.
- Learning Experience Platforms: Learning Management Systems and Learning Experience Platforms (LXP) enable organisations to deliver, track, and manage learning programmes, ensuring that employees have access to the resources they need to develop their skills.
- Digital Badges and Micro Credentials: Digital badges and micro credentials provide a way to recognise and verify the skills and knowledge individuals have acquired, making it easier to demonstrate their expertise to employers, talent managers and others.
Success Stories
There are many examples of individuals and organisations that have successfully cultivated a culture of lifelong learning.
For instance:
- Leadership and Development Programme: Each month, staff attend live leadership sessions. Quarterly, course assignments are also scheduled for staff to ensure upskilling and personal development. All staff are also enrolled on the learning platform to access any course they would love at any time. This is reflected in the productivity and work quality of the staff, as well as the overall business success.
- AT&T’s Workforce 2020 Programme: In 2018, AT&T rebranded Workforce 2020 to “Future Ready,” signalling the company’s commitment to retraining its workforce beyond 2020. AT&T’s Workforce 2020 programme provides employees with access to online courses and training programmes, enabling them to develop the skills they need to stay relevant in a rapidly changing industry.
- Google’s 20% Time: Google’s 20% Time policy allows employees to dedicate 20% of their work time to side projects and learning opportunities, driving innovation and growth.
- Phillips Outsourcing Limited (POL): POL has also improved the learning culture within the firm by subscribing to one of the solutions offered by pcl. to provide a robust learning platform for employee learning and development.
In conclusion, lifelong learning is crucial for remaining relevant and competitive in today’s rapidly evolving work environment and business landscape. By prioritising continuous learning and professional development, individuals can enhance their career prospects, increase their job satisfaction, and drive innovation.
Organisations and educational institutions can also play a critical role in promoting lifelong learning by providing access to online courses and training programmes, implementing a time to learn policy, encouraging a growth mindset and experimentation, and fostering a culture of feedback and continuous improvement. By embracing lifelong learning, we can unlock growth, drive career advancement, and thrive in the digital age.
Author’s Note: In pcl. we partner with organisations to convert their proprietary knowledge assets into digital formats that can be uploaded on a digital platform for easy access by employees, flexibility, scalability and knowledge assurance.
Want to get started with investing in lifelong learning? You can contact Phillips Consulting via digitallearning@phillipsconsulting.net
Written by:
Aderonke Ayoade
Digital Learning