What Does Lifelong Learning Mean? How Can It Help You?

Discover why lifelong learning is important to both you and your organisation

Are you curious about the idea of lifelong learning? Do you want to know how lifelong learning can not only improve your life but also benefit your company? This article delves into the meaning of lifelong learning, why it’s important, and the benefits of lifelong learning.

What does lifelong learning mean?

On a basic level, lifelong learning means what its name implies - an engagement in all types of learning activity at all stages of your life. However, the concept of lifelong learning is often associated with continuing or adult education.

During the earlier part of our lives, we are required (primary and secondary education is mandatory in the UK) to participate in structured forms of formal education, from school to college or university. After a certain age, we're not made to go to school or sit in classes. But that doesn't mean we should stop learning: simply that it's up to us to drive our learning forwards, rather than relying on teachers or institutes to do it for us.

Hence, lifelong learning usually focuses on the individual’s development after formal education, usually within work contexts. The fundamental premise of lifelong learning is that it simply isn’t possible to equip ourselves at school or college with all the skills and knowledge that we will need throughout our lives. Therefore, we need to participate in continuous learning in order to continually develop our knowledge and skills.

Why is lifelong learning important to me?

The two most important reasons you should care about lifelong learning are:

1. Learning helps you respond to change

2. Learning helps you bring about change

Change is an inevitable part of life and work. The question is whether you can meet the demands and take advantage of the opportunities created by change. Learning can help you to not only respond to change by giving you new skills; these newly acquired capabilities can help you bring about change by opening the door to new opportunities.

Learning is risky. It upsets the status quo, raising ambiguities and uncertainties. It also has the potential to empower a person to influence the future, providing choices that would not be available otherwise. 

- Manuel London, The Oxford Handbook of Lifelong Learning

Why is lifelong learning important to my team and organisation?

The importance of lifelong learning to your people and your company stems from a coalescence of factors, of which the most significant are:

1. Increased life expectancy

2. Economic cycles

3. Technological advancements

People in the UK have experienced steady increases in life expectancy for decades. According to the ONS, life expectancy at birth is currently 79.4 years for men and 83.1 years for women.

Meanwhile, economic cycles in the UK have historically averaged some 62 months or 5.2 years, according to a study by researchers from the University of Cambridge, Bank of England and the University of Reading. Given the average person’s increased life expectancy, it is safe to assume that you and your people are likely to experience more economic cycles in your lifetimes than previous generations.

An economic cycle is defined as the fluctuation of the economy between periods of expansion or growth, and contraction or recession. While each economic cycle has different characteristics and impacts the labour market differently, the shock generated by a recession will force changes on at least part of the working force. 

Continuous learning will help you and your team better navigate the boom and bust of economic cycles. You and your people will not only be able to develop new capabilities to survive a recession; these new skills could also help your company take advantage of unexpected opportunities in a disrupted economic landscape.

Furthermore, the overwhelming pace of technological advancements has made it imperative for organisations to respond quickly to these innovations. Companies need to ensure they have the right skill sets to meet the challenges and take advantage of the opportunities created in the new business landscape of automation and technological innovations. 

Encouraging an organisational culture of lifelong learning will ensure your people are equipped with the necessary skills and knowledge to help your organisation thrive.

What are the benefits of lifelong learning?

A focus on continuous learning can benefit not only you, but your team as well. Inculcating a culture that commits to lifelong learning will help you and your people reap the benefits of lifelong learning, of which the four major ones are:

1. Lifelong learning sharpens the mind

2. Lifelong learning enhances your professional confidence

3. Lifelong learning empowers late bloomers

4. Lifelong learning widens your career opportunities

Head over to our article How Does Lifelong Learning Help Your Career Development? for a more detailed look at how lifelong learning can benefit you and your team.