How to fit learning into your busy work schedule

A university degree, a certificate or a diploma might feel like the end of a long road of learning, but really, it is just the beginning.

In an era defined by a technology revolution, it makes sense that our education doesn’t end with our qualification, says Sarah Craig, learning and development manager at CPA Australia.

“Lifelong learning helps you develop the skills and capabilities you need, whether that’s to excel in your current role, open doors to new opportunities or generally progress throughout your career.”

While upskilling can take the form of structured education and professional development (courses, training workshops, microcredentials), it can also include informal and incidental learning that happens every day.

“Much of adults’ learning across their working lives is through their everyday activities at work,” observes Stephen Billet, professor of adult and vocational education at Griffith University.

“Most people can recognise that much of what they are able to do in their working life arises from the experiences they’ve had in previous or current workplaces.”

Informal development includes reading research papers, industry news or magazines, as well as listening to podcasts that help to keep abreast of changes to regulations or the profession more broadly.

“It equips you to stay relevant and be adaptable, whether that’s focusing on technical accounting skills or areas such as leadership, data analytics, AI or programming languages. Those areas, we know, are changing so quickly,” Craig says.

It is possible to integrate lifelong learning into a busy work schedule.

“There’s a broad range of flexible learning options available now. It is easier than ever to create a learning journey that works for you and fits into your schedule,” says Craig.

She recommends a three-pronged approach to help make learning activities more effective: 

1. Be intentional. “Think about the skills and capabilities you wish to develop and the areas you’re interested in. If you try to complete a course or some sort of formal learning opportunity in an area you’re not interested in, it’s going to be harder to make the time,” she says.
2. Be realistic. “We all have a huge range of professional and personal commitments, and it can be difficult to make time for your own learning and development,” she says. “Consider the time you have available and the learning style that suits you — it could be an online course or an in-person learning opportunity.”
3. Be committed. “Invest in your own learning and career development. This might mean having an open and honest conversation with your manager about areas you wish to develop and asking what support and learning options are available.

Your workplace might have a suite of resources available,” Craig says. “And, if you’re a person who works well with schedules, be sure to block out regular time in your calendar.”

Organisations play a role in driving lifelong learning, too.

“Workplaces can assist learning through offering guidance and support, providing opportunities for workers to have greater discretion in their work activities, be involved in problem-solving, and encouraging and involving them in innovations,” Dr Billet says.

This support happens at all different levels of an organisation.

“People and culture teams can help drive lifelong learning by providing access to learning opportunities.

This could be via LinkedIn Learning or in-house resources, mentoring programs, webinars or more informal get-togethers where people can share their knowledge and experiences within a particular area,” Craig says.

As well as investing in learning and development resources, she says organisations can support staff “by allowing them to carve out space for their learning, whether it’s a program the organisation is delivering or something an employee is pursuing,” she notes.