LIFELONG LEARNING & THE POST-COVID LABOUR FORCE

Some of the questions that rest on the minds of millions around the world are - "For how much longer will I have my job?" Or - "When will I be able to work again?"

According to the ILO, 68% of the world's labor force (down from 81%) is employed in countries with workplace closures. In other words - the jobs of millions are currently and would continue to be affected.

This unanticipated COVID-19 saga has caused much universal pain but has also brought the world to the classroom of life-lessons. One such lesson is the need for 'LIFELONG LEARNING'.

Dictionary.com defines this as "the provision or use of both formal and informal learning opportunities throughout people's lives in order to foster the continuous development and improvement of the knowledge and skills needed for employment and personal fulfilment" In other words, formal and informal learning that takes place all throughout life. It can be both intentional and unintended. As persons ask themselves "what's next?" - certainly, those who have been practising this SKILL - yes...the intentional version IS a skill - will find themselves better poised to reflect, adjust, and create again as the dust settles. For those who have not been intentional about LIFELONG LEARNING, it's not too late! You can start now! (Pssstt - If you live long enough, this would not be the last crisis you face, so prep for the future TODAY!!) Whatever your relationship with lifelong learning before COVID-19, here are some steps that can help you along:

1. KEEP LEARNING FOR PERSONAL BENEFIT - Whatever you're involved with - whether, career, hobby or duty, get better at it. In this day of the internet and ample resources, there is no excuse for not doing so.

2. BUILD UP TRANSFERRABLE SKILLS - Every endeavour has some sort of competency attached to it. Hone in on the ones that are transferrable and build up your 10,000 hours (#MalcolmGladwell #Outliers).

3. INTERACT WITH THE LEARNING - Reflect on and digest the learning; talk about it with friends. This will help increase your understanding and help to cement it in your mind. As much as is possible, choose a few things at a time for immediate practice or implementation.

4. KEEP AT IT - You can never know everything there is to know about anything. Keep pressing in, keep learning.

5. LOOK FOR OPPORTUNITIES - The persons who are able to implement creative solutions in crises are not those who are just thinking about the solution for the first time, but those who have been spending time learning and honing. Crises bring opportunities, so look for opportunities to implement what you have been learning in ways that offer solutions to those in need. I hope this is helpful in some way. If not:

WE'RE REZOURCE HOUZE - "TAKE WHAT YOU WANT, SAY WHAT YOU NEED, WE'LL SEE HOW WE CAN HELP!"