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The workforce is any organizations most valued asset and the ability of staff to develop and keep their knowledge and skills up to date will help support the delivery of high quality and continuously improving services. Learning that is motivational, self-directed and meaningful to everyday work experiences is respected to individuals and organizations alike – and the processes that are involved in managing and levering this knowledge is the discussion of many books, articles and working papers.
Adult learning theory perhaps offers one foundation for reflecting upon the role and development of organizational learning cultures, staff learning, engagement and quality service delivery. For instance, Knowles (1990) outlined six assumptions of how adults learn: the integration of knowledge and experience, equality and respect, the practical applications of learning, and the autonomous and self-directed nature of adults. So what do these mean for workforce? Reflecting on these and bringing together some ideas from Total Quality Management (TQM) (Roberts & Sergesketter, 1993) and intellectual development (Perry, 1999), seven principles for the continuously learning workforce are brought forth.
Key Terms in this Chapter
Organizational Development: The systematic and planned effort of an organization in increasing its effectiveness, performance and positive change.
Personal Development Planning: A process whereby an individual reflects on current knowledge, skills and practice, and plans a series of steps to achieve a desired future of state.
Lifelong Learning: The self-directed and voluntary pursuit of learning during the course of a person’s life.
Technology Enhanced Learning: A learning process (or environment) that is supported by the use of educational, virtual and online communication technologies.
Knowledge Management: The range of activities and processes that support the accessing, capturing, creating, sharing, disseminating and utilizing of knowledge.
Expertise: A level of learning and cognition that resembles proficient skills, knowledge and practices in a specific area.
Workforce Education and Development: The continuing education and development of staff that supports the delivery of high quality and continuously improving services.
Educational Leadership: The development and implementation of purposeful guidance, strategy and direction of educational endeavors across institutions and organizations.
Continuing Professional Development: A range of activities and approaches that professionals can undertake to manage and record self-directed learning, continue capacity, develop their career, and continue to learn and update skills so that they are able to work to regulated standards effectively, safely and efficiently.
Professionalism: A level of accepted standards, behaviors and accountabilities expected of a person upholding a profession.