In the current environment of rapid change, all Queenslanders need a mindset that views learning as an everyday part of their working lives. MTA Queensland’s newly released micro-credential courses support the notion of lifelong learning, as well as addressing some of the constraints.

Lifelong learning is the ongoing, voluntary, and self-motivated pursuit of knowledge over an individual’s lifetime, regardless of their age or career stage. It is important for a person’s competitiveness and employability but also a key enabler of social inclusion, active citizenship, and personal development.

As the Queensland economy and labour market change, industries are evolving and workplaces are adapting to emerging needs. The importance of continual growth has only been highlighted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The ability to respond to emerging opportunities has been key to survival for both businesses and workers.

To better understand the current state of lifelong learning in Queensland, Jobs Queensland profiled the automotive repair and maintenance industry in its Lifelong Learning report. The insights gathered from the case study include:

Motivations for engaging in lifelong learning

• Paving a pathway into the workforce
• Increasing employability potential
• Keeping up to date with industry and technological advancements
• Financial reward associated with formal qualifications and career progression

Factors impacting portability of learning outcomes

• Résumés and online portfolios effectively capture technical and softer skills
• Soft skills such as problem-solving, teamwork, leadership etc. are highly transferrable between industries and roles
• Learning modules and certificates of attainment are vital to portability

Enablers of lifelong learning in workforce development

• A supportive workplace culture that values lifelong learning and enables individuals to pursue development opportunities
• Encouraging individuals to have a ‘learning mindset’ and promoting the value proposition
• Investment in training
• On the job coaching and mentoring programs

Constraints of lifelong learning in workforce development

• A focus on short-term profitability and business cost pressures
• Loss of learning culture
• The requirement to self-fund learning
• Time constraints – reduced earning capacity while learning
• Lack of on-the-job coaching or mentoring opportunities
• Lack of information on available post-trade training opportunities.

The foundation of several lifelong learning policy initiatives is the recognition and validation of non-accredited and informal learning. These initiatives enable mobility within and between workplaces and allow individuals to apply their existing skills and capabilities to new or changing work. This translates into increased productivity and improved employability.

MTA Queensland’s new suite of micro-credentials offers short, affordable, and immediate skill upgrades in an industry-focused area. They offer fast professional development, with some courses taking just an hour to complete. Whether looking to upskill, advance your career, change direction, or dive deeper into a specific area, MTA Queensland’s courses can help you get ahead. Ranging from advanced driver assistance systems, workplace relations and customer service, each micro-credential is designed to meet current industry needs.

Given the rate of change and impact of technology, industry stakeholders must work together to identify skill and capability gaps, as well as ascertain opportunities to encourage individuals to adopt a lifelong learning mindset. Industry can provide the right level of insight into the skill and capability required across the economy to inform the design and refresh of both formal and informal learning.

MTA Queensland supports the notion of lifelong learning and will continue to offer training and personal development opportunities to the industry.

Find out more about MTA Queensland’s micro-credential courses HERE!

Source: Jobs Queensland | Lifelong learning: The foundation of future work

21 September 2021