Lifelong learning is defined as “the continuous development of the skills, knowledge and understanding that are essential for employability and personal fulfillment.”

According to various internet based sources as listed such as the U.S. Department of Labor’s 2001 Report on the American Workforce, in just a few decades, the United States will have a growing class of retirees and a shrinking workforce, and there will be an increasingly diverse group of Americans entering the workforce, bringing with them the need for truly new ways of organizing and managing work. Furthermore, the report states, “Our economy is making an unprecedented transition into high-skilled, information-based industries."

This has created a disconnect between the jobs that are being created and the current skills of many workers.” Considering this shrinking and increasingly diverse workforce and the existing skills gap, continuing education should be an integral part of today’s business strategic planning.

Recently, at a conference to discuss the nation’s job market, Labor Secretary Elaine Chao said, “Our country must understand the work force changes that are occurring at an accelerating pace. We need to focus on the skills gap within the work force… and the future of the workplace.” Alan Greenspan, in concordance with Chao’s remarks, said, “Learning will increasingly need to be a lifelong activity.”

Most businesses/companies understand the workplace and workforce are changing rapidly and that to keep pace, their employees must continually acquire new skills. Today’s environment presents numerous challenges including: new technology, global competition, and company downsizing. Providing and supporting continuing education for employees confronts these challenges head-on and clearly creates a more competent workforce, and ultimately profit increases.

If everyone agrees continuing education of employees is essential to remaining competitive and increasing profits, why are some companies choosing not to support (pay for) lifelong learning? The answer is that some fear their employees, once better trained and more knowledgeable, will leave their current company to find a better job elsewhere. Businesses do not want to invest time and money into an employee who will not remain after the investment has been made.

However, Dennis Sterling, director of organizational effectiveness for Brady Corp., a large manufacturing company, believes this fear is unfounded. “Employers are short-sighted if they think training employees will simply make them marketable as employees to be hired away by competitors,” says Sterling. “The greater risk is that the company will lose employees if they don't train them….”
 

Lifelong Learning for Quality Professionals

I think we ought to be honest to ourselves as to the consequences of the immense changes and restructuring that is taking place in the corporate world. As a result of changing technologies, corporate downsizing, job outsourcing, etc. “jobs for life” are definitely “out of the door.” Quality professionals who face that reality will make sure that, when the time comes, they are ready and prepared for the next career challenge.

But even is one is fortunate enough to stay with one company for many years (as I did), what if the next promotion isn't the right one or is no promotion at all? What if boredom with the tasks at hand sets in but you don’t have the necessary skills required for a more interesting job? It is not easy to quit one job and start another. A new job may require different job skills or new educational credentials.

Earning an ASQ certification is a great strategy to acquire new credentials and bridge the skills gap. Choose a new Quality specialization and get an ASQ certification that supports it.

ASQ refresher courses are designed to train and retrain adult learners through both classroom programs and e-courses. Most students have already a job. Usually they look to ASQ certifications to aid them in career advancement or in seeking an entirely new career in Quality. ASQ Certificate programs enable employees to develop and hone the most up-to-date Quality profession skills.

Consider how much (or how little) time and money it takes to earn an ASQ certification. Most courses run only one night a week for 12 to 18 weeks.

Keep in mind that learning does not have and should not to stop when you start your career, have a family, or not even when you retire. Start preparing for your next career in Quality today!

 

Other information you might need to know is as follows: