KEY POINTS:
Gone are the days when you could qualify for something at age 18 and expect to spend the rest of your working life at the same job without having to learn anything ever again.
As it is pointed out on career-success-for-newbies.com: "During your professional life, in every step of the corporate ladder there are new things to learn. Learning is a continuous cycle. It should not stop. If you want career advancement, internalise the idea of continuous learning. The moment we stop we regress."
"Lifelong learning is essential," says Ruth Donde, New Zealand manager for Results Coaching Systems. "It's linked to everything that will make your life fulfilling, not just your career."
Just the fast pace of change in the work environment means you have to keep learning new technology and new ways of doing things all the time.
"Employees need to keep up to speed. The skills needed for a certain job can change. An employee needs to make sure he or she is keeping up and has an understanding of what's going on, what trends are occurring in the marketplace, what role he or she is performing."
Donde points out that these days mobile technology is becoming the big thing, and many people are working from home. "People need to understand what's needed, or not be employed."
There is no such thing as staying still - not moving and growing means being out of a job.
Donde also points out that various staff retention studies have shown that if learning is provided on the job, it's more likely that staff will stay. "Most people want a stimulating job. By tackling ongoing learning, they are qualifying themselves further and giving themselves the opportunity to move on within the company.
"This is within their personal interest. Continuing education is essential. People need it to be better qualified. Being open to learning means you are open to new ideas, that you observe new things around you. It helps with your ability to adapt and grow in the workplace rather than fall back and stagnate."
Donde adds that companies that are worth working for tend to be impressed by people who say they want to learn. "This means they are people who want to grow with the company, people who will be open to new ideas and developing new skills."
Business consultant Andrea Needham agrees that learning is essential. "There is more than just academic learning though," she says. "There is real life learning that doesn't come from a textbook - it's learned from life."
In the business world, people who like to learn tend to be the ones who volunteer for things, Needham says. "This gets them noticed, which in turn means more promotions." Managers don't particularly like employees who sit back. They may provide a stepping stone for an employee, but then expect the person to use it.
Susan Geertshuis, director of the Centre of Continuing Education (CCE) at Auckland University, says: "It's only when you are working that you realise that your early education and university training hasn't prepared you completely for the world of work. You realise then how ill prepared you are. As we develop our careers, as we climb up the ladder - our job demands increase."
CCE courses include accounting for non-accountants, professional minute-taking, managing small projects and more.
Professor Geertshuis says: "If an organisation wants to be more successful then it needs to anticipate the needs of its employees. That way training can be given so that skills are developed as growth strategies are implemented."
Needham says people get bored easily if they are not learning. She acknowledges that family responsibilities can limit your time for doing courses, but says: "Learning keeps you vibrant, alive, not bitter and twisted. It keeps you with an open mind and makes you less judgmental."
Donde says your perfect job is one that fits with your personal values. You have to be open to learning what your values are. For example, do you care more about sustainability than making a lot of money? Do you value creativity, self-respect, competition or integrity? What do you want in your career? What really matters to you? What gives you more stimulation? How do you become better qualified so you're not stuck in something that doesn't suit you?
Needham suggests you approach your manager about what you want to study. He or she has to see the advantage in it - the advantage can be having a happier employee.
"Learning has definitely helped me in life," says Needham. "I've always been interested in what's around me and tend to be an optimist."
