Learning beyond school is key to career success

This is the time each year when large numbers of candidates in primary and secondary schools will be sitting their final exams. For some of these learners, this year marks their departure from the formal education system due to a mix of economic, cultural and personal factors.

By December, many universities, polytechnics and other tertiary institutions will be holding graduation ceremonies. While a few of the graduates may proceed with education, the vast majority will be joining the labour market with their freshly printed degrees and certificates.

Regardless of an individual's educational achievements, the 21st Century job market requires one to keep acquiring new skills to stay on top of a constantly changing world. Experts are calling this phenomenon "lifelong learning".

"In times of change, learners inherit the earth, while the learned find themselves beautifully equipped to deal with a world that no longer exists," social philosopher Eric Hoffer is quoted as saying.

"The illiterate of the 21st Century will not be those who cannot read and write, but those who cannot learn, unlearn, and relearn," Alvin Toffler, an entrepreneur-writer, once said.

Personal upgrade

The two personalities concluded that knowledge gained in school education can become outdated if not updated with fresh information. After all, new knowledge is being generated everyday. New machines are invented as older technology improves in efficiency. Anyone looking for employment or wishing to remain relevant has to keep learning.

A World Bank report shows that most children currently in primary school will join careers that do not yet exist. As astounding as it seems, it is worth remembering that many of today's employees are doing jobs that did not exist three decades ago. Think of the millions of people employed in the mobile phone industry, internet services, online shopping, computer sales and repair, among others.

Traditional jobs are transforming into new forms with unexpected skill combinations. A marketing professional might be required to write algorithms. A physics graduate may land a job in the finance industry. Workers who bring emerging skills into relevant technical fields of expertise, such as teachers who are good at web design, are likely to be in high demand.

According to the World Bank, there is a strong demand for individuals with higher-order cognitive skills such as logic, critical thinking, complex problem-solving, and reasoning. In some countries, people with the ability to solve problems and learn new skills are earning 20 per cent more than their peers.

The International Labour Organisation (ILO), in a separate report, agrees that technological change, globalisation and climate change are transforming the world of work and opening new opportunities. However, these factors make it harder for job seekers to get decent employment opportunities. Businesses are also finding it hard to adapt. The Covid-19 pandemic severely disrupted the world of work. Rapid changes in technology and the economy have created a mismatch between the needs of employers and skills among job seekers.

"Skill development and lifelong learning are fundamental enablers of decent work, productivity and sustainability that can raise the value and output of labour, empower the lives of workers and enrich societies," ILO notes.

Lifelong learning gives individuals the ability to pursue their interests and aspirations, access the labour market, escape from poverty and social exclusion and adapt to the changing world of work. Employers also benefit from lifelong learning because it gives businesses an advantage over the competition through increased productivity and innovation.

How, then, does one go about lifelong learning? Is it as easy as enrolling for evening classes while working?

Continuous learning is not just about acquiring knowledge to stay relevant. It is also about self-development and personal growth. As you learn, you will gain confidence and likely notice more areas in your life where you can improve. An increase in self-confidence boosts your productivity and thus benefits your employer. With continuous learning, you are investing in yourself and your career.

Communication skills in your mother tongue and other languages are a key part of lifelong learning. Basic competencies in mathematics, science, technology and digital tools are necessary in today's careers. Entrepreneurship skills, self-initiative, cultural awareness and the ability to express oneself are also very important competencies.

An open mind

Aylin Kaplan, an education sector analyst, has listed several character traits of individuals who engage in lifelong learning. They plan their own learning and evaluate it to ensure it is in line with personal goals. Lifelong learners are open to acquiring knowledge from both formal and informal environments.

In their careers, lifelong learners integrate new knowledge into different fields wherever appropriate. Also important is to use diverse learning strategies for various situations as each problem is unique.

"People need lifelong learning to keep up to date with the changes in the world, sustain their occupational and intellectual development and improve their personal skills in different areas," Kaplan concludes.

Employers in both the public and private sectors should regularly review employee skills and work tasks to identify skill gaps that can be solved through training. Tools such as mid-life career reviews, personal development plans and career conversations can help employees make informed decisions about their training and development.

Training should be adapted to the needs of older workers who are more likely to appreciate in-house one-on-one training or training with the same age cohort. Equipping all workers with basic digital skills should be a key priority as it can boost their confidence and increase their willingness to participate in further training.

Nelson Mandela, South Africa's first black president, recognised the transformative power of learning. "Education is the great engine of personal development," he said.

"It is through education that the daughter of a peasant can become a doctor, that the son of a mineworker can become the head of the mine, that the child of a farmworker can become the president of a great nation. It is what we make out of what we have, not what we are given, that separates one person from another," Mandela remarked in a speech.