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Now considered to be increasingly vital for employability too , lifelong learning not only allows individuals to indulge in something that is stimulating and captures their imagination and interests outside their career , but also extends into the further education sector , allowing for future growth and development of career based skills . In this age of technology and the rapidly evolving world of the internet , information is the most valuable resource we now have as humans . Thanks to the internet and modern day communications , information can be readily shared and at our fingertips with the press of a button - or screen . With this , lifelong learning has become a necessity within our society , in both leisure and professional capacities .
In psychologist Dr Carol S . Dweck ’ s book Mindset : Changing The Way You Think To Fulfil Your Potential , she explains why it is not just our abilities and talent that bring us success , but whether we approach them with a ‘ fixed ’ or ‘ growth ’ mindset . This philosophy of believing that no matter how skilled or knowledgeable we are and no matter what age , there is always room for improvement and further expansion of our minds . Dr Dweck believes that with the ‘ growth mindset ’, we can motivate ourselves and those around us to reach our goals , both personal and professional - this ‘ open mindset ’ is crucial for success in lifelong learning . In Tom Vanderbilt ’ s 2021 The Guardian article , ‘ The joys of being an absolute beginner - for life ’ he reflects this idea , stating that ‘ Children , in a very real sense , have beginners ’ minds , open to wider possibilities . They see the world with fresher eyes , are less burdened with preconception and past experience , and are less guided by what they know to be true . Because they ’ re less concerned with being wrong or looking foolish , children often ask questions that adults won ’ t ask .’ This highlights how learning something new can be challenging , but accepting that you have room for improvement is key in getting better at something and absolutely vital when it comes to lifelong learning .
For individuals , professional development is a highly sought-after quality by employers . Adults seeking to grow , either personally or professionally , use lifelong learning to help them stand out in competitive job markets and gain an edge over others . This , alongside personal enjoyment , a feeling of achievement and using lifelong learning as a way to reduce social isolation was particularly evident in the pandemic , which saw demand for online courses skyrocket and a new found appetite to gain new skills . In The Guardian ’ s article ‘ Lifelong learning is the secret to happiness in old age ’, Jerome Monohan and Joe Clancy highlight the importance of lifelong learning particularly in later life stating that it brings ‘ happiness , wellbeing and a connection to the wider community ’.
This is something that long established charity , The Workers Educational Association ( www . wea . org . uk / southern / east-kent ) has found to be true time and time again over more than one hundred years . Founded in 1903 , the ‘ WEA ’ as it is known , is dedicated to bringing highquality , professional education into the heart of communities , including Kent . With the support of nearly 3,000 volunteers , 2,000 tutors and over 10,000 members , they deliver friendly , accessible and enjoyable courses for adults from all walks of life . The WEA runs over 1,400 courses each year in the South East of England , attracting over 15,000 enrolments . Operating across the whole of the region , from the densely populated urban centres all the way out to rural areas and along the south coastal strip , the WEA provide classes and workshops that involve a myriad of different arts , history , culture and crafts .
The University of Kent ( www . kent . ac . uk / digital-lifelong-learning ) have also embraced the need for furthering one ’ s wisdom skills and knowledge , particularly in an employability capacity . Their ‘ Digital and Lifelong Learning ’ ( DaLL ) department has been created to help busy working professionals , employers and organisations benefit from the university ’ s academic and research excellence , in ways which are personally suited to the individual . With everything from higher and degree level apprenticeships , flexible work-related part-time academic programmes for working professionals , as well as online courses and microcredentials , there are few career sectors that the University of Kent does not cater to . The perfect way for anyone to enhance their career and skill set in a professional , academic environment .
Kent Adult Education ( www . kentadulteducation . co . uk ) ‘ brings learning to life ’ with their plethora of exciting courses , making it their priority to inspire students with either something new , or helping them to further their skills in something they already love . With everything from the creative and art related , such as literature and writing , as well as illustration and music , to informative courses such as family first aid , and history and genealogy , no matter who you are , you are sure to find a class you love with a Kent Adult Education Centre .
East Kent Colleges ( www . ekcgroup . ac . uk ) MidKent College ( www . midkent . ac . uk ) and North Kent College ( www . northkent . ac . uk ) also offer fantastic courses and evening classes across Kent , from pottery , cookery and stone masonry , to music , art and dance - Kent is certain to have a lifelong learning opportunity to suit you - no matter your tastes or location within the county .
© Tabitha Turner
© Hillary Ungson © Edgar Castrejon
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