The 14th of May marks the beginning of Learning at Work Week and while the thought of learning something new on top of the work you’re already doing may seem scary, there are actually a host of benefits to workplace learning.
There are a variety of ways to learn while you work such as through distance learning programmes from university and colleges, one day training programmes and ‘on the job’ training at your workplace. In many cases your employer may part fund or pay for your course, especially if it will benefit them in the long run.
Studying a skill that’s relevant to your job allows you to put what you learn into practice almost immediately and learn faster than you might if you were simply sitting in a classroom every day. This benefits you as it allows you to absorb information more quickly, and also benefits your employer as it allows them to see the immediate advantage of the new skills you’re learning.
If you feel stuck in a rut in your career or bored at work, learning a new skill may be the key to regaining your motivation. You’ll feel like you’re working towards a clear goal and, hopefully, have a clear picture of how it will help you progress in the long term. Maybe you’ll discover a passion for an area of your job you never considered specialising in before, or for a completely different type of job altogether!
While you’re considering your options, unlike full time students, you won’t have to worry about finding a job at the end of your course because you already have one. Therefore workplace learning is a great way to get back into learning without committing to full time education and once you’ve gained a qualification through workplace learning, it’s yours to keep!
Even if you decide to move on from your current workplace, the qualifications you’ve gained will stand you in good stead for future job applications and may even allow you to progress your career to the next level.
Once you’ve gained some new skills, why not put them into practice with a new role from [site_name]