LIFELONG LEARNING…

"Commit yourself to lifelong learning. The most valuable asset you'll ever have
is your mind and what you put into it." -Albert Einstein
 A traditional definition of lifelong learning is
“all learning activity undertaken throughout
life, with the aim of improving knowledge,
skills and competences within a personal, civic,
social and/or employment-related
perspective” (European Commission [EC],
2001, p. 9).

Lifelong learners are motivated to learn and

develop because they want to - it is a
deliberate and voluntary act. Lifelong learning
can enhance our understanding of the world

Lifelong around us, provide us with more and better

opportunities and improve our quality of life

Learning: There are various ways in which professionals

can enhance their learning - which includes
learning from other people, listening to learn
and actively realizing their potential. These
can be used as a starting point for any
professional who wants to achieve personal
and/or professional development.

https://www.careerhelp.org.za/content/introdu
ction-lifelong-learning
Is it that important?
There are two main reasons why professionals are
encouraged to learn throughout life:
The first benefit of practising lifelong learning as a
professional is for personal development - whereby you
seek to realise your full potential as an individual. This is
done through increasing your knowledge or skills around an
area that you enjoy or perhaps you want to develop a skill
that will in some way enhance your life. All this is done so
you can attain meaning in your life.
Secondly, lifelong learning is applied in one's life for
professional development - whereby one develops a vision
of where one wants to see oneself and determines the
qualities needed to get there. Therefore, employers of
today look for people with transferable skills as they give an
indication of one's zeal to learn and develop.
Technical skills become outdated as fast as
PROFESSIONALS MUST DEVELOP CAREER PROFESSIONALS MUST BE IN TOUCH WITH
we obtain them especially with the rapid GOALS AND STRATEGY WHAT IS HAPPENING IN THEIR
change in technology these days.This It is imperative for professionals to understand ENVIRONMENTS
their lifelong learning career goals which are Information is available all around us; we must
makes lifelong learning more important guided by their personal development needs. keep our eyes and ears open. The contexts
than ever! It has become vital to stay Even if it means going back to high school and people exist in contain various opportunities for
committed to lifelong learning habits.The doing your matric at the age of 60, that is also learning. These contexts have various
part of lifelong learning. information sources, problems that need to be
overall habits of lifelong learning solved, opportunities to connect with the
encompass the following three principles: environment itself and practice what has been
learned.

PROFESSIONALS MUST STAY UP TO DATE

Creating a habit of reading and understanding
what's going on in the world around you will
keep any professional abreast with what is
happening and possible gaps within different
markets. Various mediums such as newspapers,
online sources or social networks for example
can help you start this process. This will assist
you to open your worldview and gain global
understanding of how world events impact our
lives and therefore anticipate trends.
 Examples and Benefits of Lifelong Learning

Examples of lifelong learning: Benefits of lifelong learning

• Developing a new skill (e.g. sewing, cooking, • Renewed self-motivation: figuring out what inspires you
programming, public speaking, etc.) puts you back in the driver’s seat and is a reminder that
• Self-taught study (e.g. learning a new language, you can really do things in life that you want to do.
researching a topic of interest, subscribing to a
podcast, etc.) • Recognition of personal interests and goals: can even
• Learning a new sport or activity (e.g. joining open future opportunities. You never know where your
martial arts, learning to cycle, learning to interests will lead you if you focus on them.
exercise, etc.)
• Improvement in other personal and professional skills:
• Learning to use a new technology (smart devices,
new software applications, etc.) While we’re busy learning a new skill or acquiring new
knowledge, we’re also building other valuable skills that
• Acquiring new knowledge (taking a self-interest can help us in our personal and professional lives.
course via online education or classroom-based
course)
Different Types Formal learning usually takes place in the
premises of the school, where a person may learn
of Learning: basic, academic, or trade skills. Small children
often attend a nursery or pre-primary school, but
By engaging in Lifelong often formal education begins in elementary
Learning, you can keep up school and continues with secondary school.
with career changes and
allow for ongoing Self Informal learning is when you are not studying
Development. in a school and do not use one single learning
method. In this type of education, conscious
Education goes beyond what takes places efforts are not involved. It is neither pre-planned
nor deliberate. It may be learned in some
within the four walls of the classroom. We marketplace area or at home.
learn from experiences outside the school
as well as from those within. Non-formal education includes adult basic
education, adult literacy education or school
There are three main types of education, equivalency preparation. In non-formal
education, someone (who is not in school) can
namely: Formal, Informal and Non-formal. learn literacy, other basic skills or job skills.
Something to
think about

What is Life long Learning?

Why should we continue to
learn?
Are you prepared to shape and
mould your skills as things change?
What kind of learning suits you
best?
Are you ready for what's out
there one day?