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Some working professionals may feel left behind as graduates with modern degrees appear in all industries.
Many people are concerned about upskilling themselves to stay relevant or to advance their careers.
The composition of students has changed as a result. According to the National Centre for Education Statistics, from 2014 to 2020, the number of students over 25 is expected to increase by 18% compared to those under 25.
This article examines how to encourage adult learners to return to school and explores their motivations.
Why do adults return to education
Many high school graduates go on to the university because it’s the next logical thing in a life filled with education.
Adult learners have very different motivations. Professionals in the workplace are usually more determined and focused on advancing their careers. They want to improve or learn new skills, usually in a specialist field.
Many working professionals discover they lack the necessary skills to succeed in an environment rich with technology. Many of these changes occurred while they were at work and, unless required for their jobs, would have gone unnoticed.
As more and more businesses progress in their digital transformation journeys, the knowledge and expertise people require across industries and roles continue to change. The adult learner is on the rise.
What are the biggest challenges for adult learners
The average working professional has much more than a traditional college student. Adult learners are, therefore, unable to upgrade their skills for the industries of tomorrow.
Depending on the type of job, many people may need to re-enter education. There are still some barriers to overcome for many. Some of the most common obstacles include:
Time is short
Family and Children Responsibility
Financial problems
The fear of technology or the difficulty in coping with it in education
Finding the right course can be difficult
Some adults need help to return to learning or commit to a learning program that places pressure on their busy work lives.
Teachers must also remember that adult learners are selective and can choose what they want to learn based on their interests and roles. Self-directed learners need to have the motivation to engage with learning content and process.
Many older learners have not been involved in education for some time, but they can bring a wealth of practical experience. The world can gain a great deal by helping adults re-educate themselves.
What can educational institutions do to make their life easier?
Offer flexibility
Lack of time and money is the biggest obstacle for working professionals considering further education. They are busy with a full-time career and possibly a growing family.
It is daunting to think of adding an intensive program of study on top of all of that. Teachers can combat this by:
Flexible teaching schedules
Online Learning Management Systems provide 24/7 access to course material, including videos and printable documents.
Increase assignment deadlines
Apps or forums are great tools for exchanging information.
This issue is being addressed by the education sector, which offers a variety of part-time and distance learning courses. The US professional development market is expected to grow by nearly 5 per year until 2020.
Adult learning is becoming more popular, and education providers are increasingly focused on accommodating the busy schedules that working professionals have.
Offer Affordable Options
Adult life brings adult responsibility. Maintaining a house or a vehicle and having children is not cheap. Education is costly.
Many adults cannot afford to take another long-term degree program, even if they consider it a worthwhile investment. This is especially true when you think the average graduate has $30 000 in debt.
Adult learners are attracted to colleges and universities which offer affordable learning opportunities through professional development programs. Online certifications aligned with the industry are also cheap to obtain a recognized qualification.
These programs are specialized so that learners will be focused on outcomes and likely able to use the learning within their roles. Working professionals who are self-directed learners focus on tangible results and the value of money.
Customize technology programs
It is becoming increasingly more work for professionals to keep up with technological advances as digital disruption becomes commonplace for many businesses.
Digital natives are people who have grown up in a technological world. They know how to use platforms and networks like social media and can adapt quickly when technology changes. It is important to remember that although ‘digital natives’ are aware of technology, some may not be able to use it the way their employers want. This makes them a prime audience for digital training.
It can be daunting for many adult learners to return to school and study with tech-savvy peers, particularly those from older generations. To combat this, it is essential to ensure learners can learn quickly and have time to become familiar with new technology.
You can do this by streamlining your online learning portals. This includes adding tutorials, videos that guide you through the process, and access to support desks or live chat. Adult learners can improve their skills in essential technology areas, whether or not they pursue a digital career.
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