In a study of American Workers conducted by the Pew Research Center in the Fall of 2015 and published in March of this year concerning employee's motives for advanced education and training- researchers found
that “63% of full- and part-time workers say they have taken steps in the past
12 months to upgrade their skills and knowledge.” (Rainie) . Motivations for taking
courses and participating in training ranged from a desire to learn, maintain
or improve job skills; pursuit of raises or promotions; advancement to other
positions, or with other employers; licensure or certification requirement; all
the way to concerns over potential downsizing.
While the study addresses focused and determined learning, i.e., a formally-packaged
curriculum, created either by companies, or educational institutions- it did
not address circumstances where workers gain knowledge, or at least enhance
their knowledge, through unintended and indirect means. What I speak of here
are those instances where- in speaking with a co-worker, a customer, or a vendor interaction- the worker gains insight into a company’s policies,
processes, strategy, or programs then uses that same kernel of knowledge to
produce even greater results within a company.
For example, as a contractor and sometimes temporary worker,
I am called upon to cover positions in a number of varied industries; most
recently at a professional association here in the city. And although I have 5
years of experience as a paralegal along with 2 years of formal education in
paralegal studies- I am far from mastering the subject. Consequently that when clients
call in asking for assistance, I often utilize a number of different resources to assist them and in
so doing- each time I skim a paragraph on a resource like FindLaw, peruse information
on the organization’s own website, or discuss a situation with staff
post-telephone call, I garner additional information and insight that helps me
quickly and efficiently address the next caller; thereby, continuing to further the
mission and goals of the organization with whom I am contracted.
And for me,
just as with the participants in that Pew Research Center study, there is both intrinsic and extrinsic value in that.
Bibliography
Rainie, Lee. Incentives- and pressures - for U.S.
workers in a 'knowledge economy'. Study findings. Washington:
Pew Research Center, 2016. PDF.
