“Anyone who stops learning is old, whether at twenty or eighty. Anyone who keeps learning stays young.”
The saying by Henry Ford indicates the importance of continuous learning for human existence. On top of that, it hints at the many benefits of being a life-long learner. Investing in skills and knowledge can help job seekers to stand out to potential employers and increase their chances of landing their dream jobs.
At the same time, employers investing in continuous learning opportunities enrich their employee skills throughout their work life to keep up with the ever-changing corporate work. Therefore, whether you are an employer or job seeker, continuous learning and development are essential to:
- Remain competitive in the market,
- Enhance career prospects,
- Achieve growth & business success, and
- Advance innovation.
Thus, it is important to prioritize learning and development throughout one’s career to ensure ongoing success and fulfillment. Let’s delve deeper into this topic.
What is Continuous Learning?
Continuous learning refers to undeterred and self-motivated persistence to acquire knowledge and skills. The driving force behind the term is the development of future opportunities and the expansion of skill sets. A continuous learner builds a defense against stagnation and strives to reach their full potential.
Continuous learning can also help you stay competitive in your industry. By staying on top of industry trends and emerging technologies, you can position yourself as an expert in your field and increase your value to potential employers.
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50% of all employees will need reskilling by 2025, as the adoption of technology increases, according to the World Economic Forum’s Future of Jobs Report.
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Critical thinking and problem-solving top the list of skills employers believe will grow in prominence in the next five years.
What is Professional Development?
Professional development includes numerous learning opportunities like academic degrees and non-formal learning opportunities. There are multiple ways to facilitate professional development, including sessions, communities of practice, technical assistance & supervision.
A professional development program aims to make individuals more effective and efficient at their jobs, and to provide them with the skills necessary to handle new responsibilities and challenges. In an ever-changing job market, it is a lifelong process that helps individuals adapt and stay relevant.
Continuous Learning in the Workplace
For Employers:
#1. Prepare Employees for Promotions
Continuous learning and development of an individual professionally allow employees to expand their knowledge base. As a positive outcome, they consider taking on senior positions in the organisation, which implies preventing incurring costs for new hires.
Besides, the organisation will always have employees that help drive success by stepping up and using what they’ve learned.
#2. Improves Employee Retention
The corporate landscape is highly competitive, and various employee skills stay in high demand. However, finding suitable candidates at the right time isn’t as easy as it seems. An organisation that fosters go-getters and offers a good learning & development program never ceases to succeed.
#3.Achieve Organisational Goals
Helping your employees reach higher levels of knowledge can generate new ideas and perspectives, boost morale, and raise overall employee performance. This, in turn, make employees feel valued thus, they aim to contribute better to organisation’s goals and foster a forward-thinking innovation culture in the workplace.
For Employees:
#1. Boosts Profile and Experience
Employees that are constantly learning never face hurdles in their professional life. Additionally, they start adding skills to their profiles, which makes them irreplaceable in the organisation. And in case there arises a need to switch jobs, continuous learning allows them to adapt to the competitive market.
#2. Uplifts Confidence
A feeling of accomplishment is the immediate outcome of continuous learning. Employees experience a rise in confidence and self-sustenance. Also, employees feel more prepared to take on new challenges and explore new opportunities.
#3. Prepared for the Unexpected
Lifelong learning lets employees adapt to unexpected situations. For instance, if one is laid off from their current job, they will be ready to step out of their comfort zone and find new opportunities with new skills.
#4. Changes Attitude
Unceasing determination to learn and develop opens minds and changes attitudes. Universally, continuous learning is the minimum requirement to succeed in any field. The business environment is quickly changing, and only a lifelong student can manage to understand & grasp the leading practices and emerging tools.
#5. Promotes mental flexibility
The ability to adapt to change becomes quicker due to continuous learning. In a way, lifelong learning and professional development promote lateral thinking and mental flexibility. Lateral thinking is the ability to think more creatively and expansively. Because learning continuously builds knowledge, it allows employees to spot future opportunities.
Did you read? Best Practices for Positive Employee Experience and Retention Rate
What Does a Continuous Learner Look Like?
A continuous learner will:
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Always be curious to learn something new
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Learn a wide variety of things
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Look out for new ways of doing things
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Keep abreast of current and future trends & technologies
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Exhibit flexibility and adaptability to change
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Be active on social media to track the latest developments
Tips Supporting Continuous Learning & Professional Development
There are several ways to pick up new continuous learning activities. Based on the industry and skill type, supporting sources to continue learning could include:
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Register for online skill programs & courses
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Subscribe to publications as per your area of interest
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Connect with a global network of people
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Listen to podcasts
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Read online articles
Conclusion
People who develop the ability to acquire and apply new knowledge to their work and life will be mountain movers in society for years to come.
Do you know the most fantastic thing about the lifelong journey of learning? You might head the wrong way down or make a U-turn and still reach your destination if you remain determined and curious to learn.
Cornerstone Global Partners (CGP) Singapore considers its people the most significant asset. Therefore, we are always looking for enthusiastic, determined, motivated & hardworking professionals who are also active learners.
If you are skillful and an ardent learner and wish to join our team, click here.
If you are looking for a job in other sectors, register here.
If you are an employer and looking for suitable candidates, contact us.
FAQs
1. How can continuous learning and professional development benefit an organization?
Continuous learning in the workplace:
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Expands employee skill sets
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Increases skills & knowledge
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Generates new ideas and perspectives
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Boosts morale
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Enhances employees’ overall performance.
As a result, continuous learning and professional development enable organisations to fill new and internal promotion positions and save the cost of new hires.
2. How do continuous learning and professional development help employees advance their careers?
Continuous learning and professional development help employees develop critical skills. As a result, employees grow professionally and personally while achieving their full potential.
