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The \u201cabilities\u201d \u2014 availability, flexibility and affordability \u2014 are luring more busines professionals than ever to pursue continuing education. And many are finding it the key to advancement, say educators who have made lifetime learning their business.<\/p>\n
\u201cContinuing education has been around for well over 100 years,\u201d said Dr. Tracey Wofford, Mercer University\u2019s Director of Admissions for Adult Learning Programs and adjunct faculty member.<\/p>\n
The classic definition of continuing education, according to Wofford, is when adult learners, who have a college education, seek higher degrees. \u201cThat definition is shifting because of online courses. Online extends the accessibility of programs.\u201d<\/p>\n
Continuing education can be less expensive than attaining a typical college degree, and offers more flexible hours with the advent of online classes. Thus, many working professionals are finding the benefits and comfort of pursuing higher education degrees and more specialized certificates.<\/p>\n
\u201cContinuing education allows professionals to go beyond a traditional degree to refresh and retool in order to stay current and relevant,\u201d said Diane Lee, director of Georgia Tech-Savannah. \u201cNot only is technology constantly changing, but so are industries, markets and professions. Success for professionals today means being able to navigate change and constantly reinvent themselves to meet the evolving needs of employers, professions and industries.\u201d<\/p>\n
AFFORDABILITY<\/p>\n
In certain instances, employers will pay for continuing education for their employees, encouraging further learning or requiring it.<\/p>\n
Other times, individuals will choose to expand their knowledge on their own dimes.<\/p>\n
For some professionals, this can mean upgrading their skill sets and expanding their areas of expertise, continued Lee. For others, continuing education can offer a completely new career path.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe average person now changes jobs 12 times in their career,\u201d Lee explained. \u201cProfessional education plays an essential role in empowering individuals to take charge of their own career advancement and develop expertise that\u2019s in demand in a constantly changing environment.\u201d<\/p>\n
And the benefits of continuing education are plentiful.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen the employer initiates the continuing education training, it means happier employees and greater retention for the employer,\u201d said Belkis Torres-Capeles, Ph.D., Georgia Southern\u2019s Executive Director of the Division of Continuing Education. \u201cIt also encourages great confidence in the employee. And clients feel more confident because they\u2019re experiencing people who have the greatest skill sets out there.\u201d<\/p>\n
Capeles added the employers experience an increase in productivity.<\/p>\n
Not only does continuing education boost confidence and productivity in individuals, it also enhances their professionalism, gives them recognition from their peers, adds credibility to their resumes, and prepares them for higher job responsibility, according to Capeles.<\/p>\n
Pursuit of continuing education shows employers that individuals have the motivation, drive and mind-set to keep learning and adding value to their roles, added Lee.<\/p>\n
\u201cBy investing in lifelong learning, individuals demonstrate to employers that they\u2019re able to adapt to changing needs and keep pace with constantly evolving market demands,\u201d she explained.<\/p>\n
AVAILABILITY<\/p>\n
Capeles continued that \u201cOnline is valuable for people who have a conflict with time and scheduling. People who have a lifelong learning need to make time for learning and continuing education. Online allows them to customize to any schedule and field.\u201d<\/p>\n
FLEXIBILITY<\/p>\n
Georgia Tech Professional Education offers programs in different formats and options to fit schedules and learning preferences.<\/p>\n
\u201cFor example, we offer online programs, including nine Master of Science degrees,\u201d Lee said. \u201cWe have hybrid programs, such as our professional master\u2019s degrees that include a combination of online and face-to-face instruction.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWe develop our programs with the needs of adult learners in mind,\u201d Lee said.<\/p>\n
Trends in continuing education, Wofford added, is that more people are turning to continuing education because classes are going online.<\/p>\n
Employers are also looking for higher return on investments and value in what they\u2019re spending.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re seeing shorter, briefer places of study, that are geared toward the information technology world, like badges, certificates, and micro credentials,\u201d she said. \u201cMore companies are getting on board to sponsor employees in getting certifications relevant to jobs.\u201d<\/p>\n
A trend in continuing education topics, Wofford added, is focused on soft skills, such as conflict resolution, negotiating, and understanding what true leadership is beyond just a stereotypical norm of the top leader.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn Savannah, we designed an entry-level Learners & Leaders program: a breakfast seminar to help companies in the coastal region stay current on topics of relevance such as mobile apps, coaching and mentoring, leadership and logistics,\u201d said Lee. \u201cIt helps us to raise awareness about what we\u2019re doing on this campus and the programs we offer.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cLearning, like our lives, does not always fit neatly into stages,\u201d Lee said. \u201cBy building intergenerational hubs of knowledge and tapping into technology, we can more easily incorporate lifelong learning into our businesses, thereby increasing our capacity for success.\u201d<\/p>\n
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