Professional Academy believes strongly in the benefits of lifelong learning, both professionally and personally. Lifelong learning is the process by which people acquire knowledge, skills and other competences throughout their lives, in many different ways and forms. It means education through formal training, but also through informal routes such as learning from books, from the internet, from friends and from experience at work — all the new things people learn for their personal development and for better participation in the labour market.
Why People Stop Learning
Two common attitudes tend to bring learning to a halt. The first is a traditional way of perceiving life's stages: the idea that there is a period in which people learn, during childhood, followed by a separate period in which they work and raise families, with little learning in between. The second relates to the development of labour markets. In more rigid labour markets, where people stay in the same job for many years, the culture of ongoing education tends to be less developed. Recognising these attitudes is the first step to moving beyond them, because learning has value at every stage of life.
Perceived Barriers to Lifelong Learning
Many people believe there are significant obstacles to continued learning, but most of these barriers are more perceived than real.
- Time — most adults are busy and struggle to spare time to learn. However, spare moments can be turned into learning opportunities with a little planning.
- Money — formal classes are not always necessary to learn something. A great deal can be learned online, at one's own pace, often at little or no cost.
- Information — this barrier has largely disappeared thanks to the internet. Even skills that require in-person instruction are far easier to access than they once were.
- Location — a formal classroom is no longer essential. Learning can take place at home, while travelling, or almost anywhere.
How to Be a Lifelong Learner
Becoming a lifelong learner is less about formal study and more about adopting the right habits and mindset.
Foster a Growth Mindset
Neuroscience and psychology have shown that people can learn new things at any age. Believing that learning is possible is the foundation of lifelong learning.
Change the Idea of Learning
Learning does not have to take place in a formal classroom setting. It can happen in countless everyday situations.
Establish Goals
Setting clear goals for the skills and knowledge one wants to acquire gives learning direction and purpose.
Find Your Sources
Creating a list of places or individuals that could offer instruction relating to those goals makes it far easier to get started.
Ask Questions
Rather than passively consuming information, a lifelong learner asks questions while reading and while talking to experts.
Find a Group
Fellow learners can provide insights and resources that an individual might never have thought of alone.
Practise
Rather than only reading or listening, it is important to find a way to put new knowledge to work.
Teach What You Learn
Teaching forces a person to look at a concept with a beginner's mind, which can provide clarity and insight that were previously lacking.
Test Yourself
Feedback is important while learning, and testing is one of the best ways to get it. A self-directed learner is unlikely to face formal tests, so it helps to create their own.
The Benefits of Lifelong Learning
The rewards of continued learning extend well beyond career progression. Lifelong learning helps people adapt to change, make new friends, stay involved in society, and find meaning in their lives, leading to a more enriching and self-fulfilling life. It also helps develop natural abilities, opens and broadens the mind, creates an inquisitive outlook, increases wisdom, and, in its own small way, helps make the world a better place.
How Professional Academy Supports Your Journey
Lifelong learning is at the heart of what Professional Academy does. With over 27 years of experience, Professional Academy supports learners at every stage of their careers through professional qualifications in marketing, sales and management, as well as apprenticeships. Whether the goal is to develop existing skills or explore an entirely new area, structured study provides a clear and supported path forward. To take the next step, explore the professional qualifications, use the Qualifications Navigator, or speak to the qualification advice team.
