7 Predictions That Hint At What’s Next for Continuing Education
Reading Time: ~5 Mins | By: Jelly Academy
Continuing education, in various forms, has been present throughout history in many different cultures. But the concept of continuing education as we understand it today, with structured programs and professional development opportunities, started to emerge during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
In response to the demand for new skills brought on by the industrial revolution and its rapid technology, institutions began offering specialized learning so that people could update their skills, deepen their knowledge, and stay current in their fields. These programs were designed to cater to the demands of adult learners who sought to improve their expertise or transition to new career paths.
Sound familiar? Well, you know what they say. History does repeat itself. Today we are arguably experiencing our own sort of modern revolution as technology and digitalization has become even more advanced, and once again, the skillsets needed for careers change. But thanks to continuing education opportunities, we are able to keep up with these revolutions.
So what’s next for the field that ultimately allows us to remain desirable in an ever-evolving workforce? In my opinion, the future of continuing education holds great potential for growth and transformation. Here are a few (or seven) key trends and possibilities with commentary from some of the industry’s best:
1. Online Learning
Continuing education will increasingly leverage online platforms and digital technologies to offer flexible, accessible, and self-paced learning experiences. This will allow individuals to pursue education from anywhere, at any time, and at their own pace. If I may—on behalf of everyone—yes, please!
2. Personalized Learning
Adaptive learning systems and artificial intelligence (AI) will play a significant role in tailoring education to individual needs. Personalized learning paths, adaptive assessments, and targeted content delivery will enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of continuing education programs. That said, AI is still relatively new, so exactly how its emergence into the continuing education space will play out is hard to predict, but I imagine it will be for the best.
My industry colleague, Dale Lackeyram, Director, Centre for Teaching and Learning at Queens University, challenged this point with grace.
“Diagnostic and Adaptive AI have been used extensively and continues to contribute positively in some spaces. However, my small point of disagreement with generative AI (large language modules), is that it perpetuates systemic issues and can muddy the effectiveness and relevancy of continuing education fields of practice,” Dale told me.
“So a mixed bag with personalized learning and AI.”
3. Skill-Based and Practical Education
Another prediction is that continuing education will focus more on developing practical skills and competencies that align with industry demands. Short-term, specialized programs or micro-credentials will gain popularity as professionals seek targeted upskilling or reskilling opportunities. Continuing education is known for transforming itself to meet our workforce demands—I can’t see this stopping, and I certainly hope it doesn’t.
4. Lifelong Learning Culture
Lifelong learning will become an integral part of career development and personal growth. Professionals will embrace the idea of continuous learning throughout their lives to stay relevant in a rapidly changing job market. For so long, society has held universities and colleges on a pedestal. And while I believe that post-secondary education should be prioritized, I feel the same way about lifelong learning.
5. Collaboration and Networking
Continuing education programs will increasingly foster collaboration and networking opportunities among learners, connecting them with industry experts, mentors, and fellow learners. This can facilitate knowledge exchange, professional connections, and career advancement. No matter how far along you are in your career, meeting new people can transform your life for the better. Dale made the fantastic point: “What if "on the job apprenticeships or job transitions" for regular employees had a credential associated with it that a small business could tap into? That would really grow a lifelong learning culture.”
Meanwhile, Jack Rice, Director of the Centre for Online Learning & Professional Studies at St. Francis Xavier University, believes this aspect of continuing education to be the most timely.
“Continuing Education long existed at the margins of education. As its delivery mechanisms (online, targeted, short) became more mainstream, Continuing Education’s lifelong learning approaches were increasingly adopted,” Jack told me.
“However, if you believe that learning is at its core a social construct, the expertise that colleges and universities have in creating communities of engagement, will be the undervalued asset, when the content that underpins all education becomes increasingly commoditized.”
6. Integration of Emerging Technologies
Continuing education will incorporate emerging technologies such as virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), and gamification to create immersive and engaging learning experiences. Once again, how will this play out? I’m not entirely sure, but I am excited about it.
7. Recognized and Accredited Micro-Credentials
Micro-credentials, such as digital badges or certificates, will gain more recognition and acceptance as a credible form of demonstrating specific skills and knowledge to employers. I’ve said it once and I’ll say it again, those who devote themselves to lifelong learning consistently amaze me. I hope that employers feel the same way.
For Dale, this is his biggest issue.
“It is one that the government, business groups, and professional organizations need to be increasingly more actively involved with,” he shared.
“The recognition of the credential is one thing… but learners of today are also looking at this as a value associated with their investment of time (and other human capacity).”
Continuing education has a rich history and has perpetually evolved to meet the changing needs of industries. As we navigate the modern revolution of technology and digitalization, continuing education remains crucial in helping professionals stay relevant and adapt to evolving careers.
Looking ahead, the future of continuing education holds exciting possibilities. Whether my predictions come to fruition or not, I feel strongly that the future of continuing education will continue to evolve with advancements in technology, changing workforce needs, and societal shifts.
Let’s wait and see!
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Darian Kovacs is the Indigenous founder of Vancouver based Marketing Agency, Jelly Digital Marketing & PR and digital marketing school, Jelly Academy. He is the host of the podcast Marketing News Canada, a contributing writer for the Globe & Mail, Forbes, Entrepreneur, Canadian Business Quarterly, Future Economy and is on the board of NPower Canada. He was recently nominated by SME Magazine as Indigenous Entrepreneur of the Year. Darian lives in Fort Langley, BC with his wife and four children and likes to mountain bike, watercolour and read in his free time.
