ITB December 2024/January 2025 - Magazine - Page 58
S T R AT EG I C U P S K I L L I N G
LIFELONG
LEARNER
Lifelong learning is a form of self-directed education
that contributes to personal and professional growth.
The question is: how do we fit it into a busy work schedule?
WORDS NICOLA HEATH
university degree, a certificate
or a diploma might feel like the end
of a long road of learning, but really,
it is just the beginning.
In an era defined by a technology revolution,
it makes sense that our education doesn’t end
with our qualification, says Sarah Craig, learning
and development manager at CPA Australia.
“Lifelong learning helps you develop the skills and
capabilities you need, whether that’s to excel in your
current role, open doors to new opportunities or
generally progress throughout your career.”
While upskilling can take the form of structured
education and professional development (courses,
training workshops, microcredentials), it can also
58 INTHEBLACK Dec 2024/Jan 2025 SPECIAL EDITION
include informal and incidental learning that happens
every day.
“Much of adults’ learning across their working lives
is through their everyday activities at work,” observes
Stephen Billet, professor of adult and vocational
education at Griffith University.
“Most people can recognise that much of what
they are able to do in their working life arises
from the experiences they’ve had in previous
or current workplaces.”
Informal development includes reading research
papers, industry news or magazines, as well
as listening to podcasts that help to keep abreast
of changes to regulations or the profession
more broadly.
