A recent workforce trend is mobility across occupations and jobs. More than ever before, a person’s career is likely to involve a series of jobs either related to the same career path or in unrelated career fields. How can people successfully navigate the changing job market while also building a reputation as a leader or expert in their field? A key to career success, particularly in an evolving career path, is continuous learning.
Continuous learning is one of nine essential workplace skills that helps people to evolve with their changing jobs and adapt to any workplace. Continuous learning can be placed into two categories: formal learning and informal learning.
Formal learning takes place when the learner does not control the learning goals. For example, your company organizes a workshop on lean manufacturing and requires that your entire department attend. Informal learning is when the learner personally controls their learning objectives and sets personal goals for when and how they will invest in learning. Learning goals may include preparing to write a licensing exam, improving language and communication skills, or returning to school to upgrade skills for career growth or transition.
A self-directed learner takes personal responsibility for establishing and completing their learning goals. A networked learner effectively connects with various resources (e.g., online links, books, articles, reports, and videos), people (fellow learners and experts), and tools (e.g., library databases) to achieve their learning outcomes. Networked learning allows the individual to go beyond learning in a classroom setting or gaining knowledge from one expert (the teacher). Combining self-directed and networked studies can make for effective continuous learning.
Continuous learning has enabled thousands of newcomers to build rewarding careers in Manitoba. As with any successful outcome, there is a cost: learning requires time and money; it takes planning and hard work. However, investing in a learning goal can yield significant returns on investment. It may be the key to landing the job you want, gaining a promotion, or taking the next step in your career path.
Employers are looking for lifelong learners—employees who will work to stay current in their field and upgrade their professional skills. Due to an increased reliance on technology, the Canadian economy is moving toward a knowledge-based, idea-driven, creative economy. Employees are increasingly valued for their ability to use and generate knowledge. This only emphasizes the importance of developing and growing new talent—and the best way to do that is through continuous learning. Adult Learners’ Week 2014 is celebrated in Canada from March 29–April 6. For more information, visit: http://en.copian.ca/annualevents/ialwc .
Be a lifelong learner
• Think about how you want your career to grow. Determine what positions you are interested in (or what competencies you want to build).
• Find out what academic or professional qualifications employers are looking for within these positions.
• Determine relevant workforce trends that may shape your learning decisions and goals.
• Identify any training gaps you may have.
• Create a plan to upgrade your skills or gain new competencies.
• Put your plan into action, and evaluate your progress.
• Consider: Investing in a field of study 1 hour per day, 5 days a week, amounts to over 250 dedicated learning hours a year.
