Lifelong Learning in the digital age

Knowledge is ubiquitous and accessible more quickly than ever before in human history. With a smartphone and an internet connection, we can access even the most useless information at any time. At the same time, however, digital change also results in a fragmentation or decay of knowledge in individuals. As a result, we are constantly faced with new challenges professionally and have to constantly adapt. How can this be arranged?
2500 years ago, the Greek philosopher Heraclitus described the phenomenon as follows:

„Education is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire.“

He was thus far ahead of his time, because the concept of lifelong learning was only taken up politically in the second half of the 20th century and integrated into educational programs. It understands learning as a tool for acquiring and expanding competencies that lasts over a person's entire lifespan.

Why is lifelong learning so important?

Lebenslanges Lernen ErfolgDepending on your own view and understanding, lifelong learning can therefore be interpreted as a curse or a blessing. On the one hand, we have to continuously develop ourselves in order to keep up with the development of skilled workers and to adapt to the ever new structures, technical devices, processes and requirements.

On the other hand, it is also an unprecedented opportunity to understand education and learning as part of the world of work and of one's own life and never - or at least only rarely - to stand intellectually on the spot. The big advantage here?

We can choose for ourselves which new skills we want to acquire or at which points we want to deepen our own knowledge - and this can largely be dealt with via educational leave during working hours.

Education and knowledge as pension provision / career boost

Further training is not a compulsion that is imposed by the employer. Rather, it is an investment in your own career, self-confidence and mental fitness. With this awareness one can overcome one's own weaker self and proactively define and achieve goals. Ever wanted to learn how to edit images with Photoshop? Approach it and apply the knowledge directly in everyday work. It is important that the training courses correspond to your personal interests and that you have fun doing it - so it's all a question of attitude.

Which form of further training is right for me?
Lebenslanges Lernen Statistik

According to the SDGs of the United Nations (Sustainable Development Goal), education should become a global consumer good by 2030 at the latest. In Germany, the value of lifelong learning is already 77 out of 100 possible points. There is more and more emphasis on online seminars instead of face-to-face events.

As a general rule, everyone learns differently. Whether alone or in groups, online or in person - find your personal preference and start exactly at this point. Often you can teach yourself new knowledge yourself with learning videos or literature. When teaching social skills, however, there are still more traditional methods of conveying knowledge.

Source of research: Marketagent

Use synergies and run through the learning cycle sustainably

Regardless of the form in which you want to embark on your lifelong path - do it with a system. With the help of the offer from CQ, a systematic path can be illustrated well, which does not end at the last point, but actually represents a continuous cycle and can be entered at each individual point.

  • Create the basics - Prepare yourself for your goal and create the appropriate basics, for example with language coaching or job coaching.
  • Acquire specialist knowledge - deepen existing knowledge or retrain yourself, for example to become a bioinformatician or a specialist in occupational safety.
  • Master integration - Get started with a new job and set the course for success, for example with an onboarding coaching.
  • Expand on your soft skills - Always pay attention to further training and company seminars in the area of soft skills, for example communication or leadership.
  • Benefit from advice - Be open to advice from experts and benefit from your knowledge in process support.
  • Act in a forward-looking manner - Prepare early for possible future trends, for example with coaching for digital transformation.