What do you understand by the phrase, “Lifelong learning?”

It is estimated that 763 million adults do not have basic literacy and numeracy skills, and two thirds of these are woman, UNESCO 2022. 

Literacy is essential to continued learning and therefore lifelong learning.

Lifelong learning is considered the pursuing additional education and the development of further skills.  It is usually voluntary and not part of compulsory or formal education. It is self-motivated and based on a pursuit to learn more, gain new skills or support professional development. It is often based around personal fulfilment or enjoyment.

Lifelong learning is important with future growth and development both for individuals and employers. This is also essential for the future growth of further education and skills sector.

Workplace changes are already afoot with automation, AI and big data, as well as a growth in completely new industries. A serious commitment to lifelong learning is now being viewed as vital to the meet the skills and workforce needs of the future.

For individuals lifelong learning is increasingly important to ensure competitiveness and the development of employability in the long term. Professional development (and therefore lifelong learning) is a highly sought-after quality by employers. Skills needs will evolve rapidly in the future, and lifelong learning is integral to employment and progression.

During lockdowns in the pandemic lifelong learning was in demand, online courses, a large appetite to gain new skills and learn something entirely different. Personal enjoyment, a feeling of achievement and a demand to reduce social isolation are all great benefits for lifelong learning.

Questions how the skills sector will develop and meet the lifelong learning demand of the future. It will be essential for further education providers to be able to offer greater diversity in learning opportunities, more choice, greater accessibility for learners of all ages and a willingness to offer improved flexibility on how courses are delivered. The ability for the sector to match this demand will become central to the growth and development of further education.

The benefits of lifelong learning are 

• Individual fulfilment
• Social cohesion
• Economic prosperity.

The need for lifelong learning and education is paramount.  Consider

• Following on from the pandemic
• Global warming

It is essential we all know how to promote health and wellbeing in a safe and economically manageable way.

Examples of lifelong learning could be anything from learning to play an instrument, taking part in an online skills course of even enrolling on to a re-training scheme.