SHORT COURSES A WAY TO MASTER A TRADE
The increase in demand for short courses and continuing education is a response to globalisation, the ’knowledge-based economy’ and the ‘knowledge society’, which keeps the modern career landscape in a state of rapid change, writes Leizl Eykelhof
AS technology evolves, systems, programmes and practices change, making it critical for employees to refresh their skills and stay on top of the game.
Gone are the days of a traditional career spanning decades at a company. Employees are now expected to be multi-skilled while the average job tenure lasts only about four years.
It has become imperative for employers and employees to understand the demands of globalisation and the knowledge society.
Professor Dhiru Soni, head of research at Regent Business School, explains: “In the past, it was adequate for a person to acquire a degree in a cognate field — it would probably see the person through the rest of his or her professional career.
“To understand the complexities of the modern era, however, especially in terms of the knowledge explosion brought on by the internet, it is necessary to complement one’s knowledge from other fields (such as the liberal arts or the sciences) and become multiskilled.
“Unlike [in] the past, when an average student went to university once in their lifetime, in the knowledge society, an ordinary person would have to go to university at least five or six times in their lifetime. It demands we update our knowledge, constantly.”
Some professionals, such as in the medical and accounting fields, have had to do this all along, but now continued professional development spans a number of industries. Workers at all levels in the 21st century will need to be “lifelong learners” who constantly adapt to a fast-changing world and work environment.
Rob Paddock, chief academic officer at GetSmarter, an online education provider, concurs. “The amount of knowledge in the world has doubled in the past 10 years, and is now doubling every 18 months according to the American Society of Training and Documentation. The result is that modern working professionals have to become lifelong learners if they wish to stay relevant and advance their careers,” he says.
The company has released a career guide for 2014 to assist South African professionals better understand the current career landscape. It explains that the responsibility for career development now rests with the individual. “It has become a process of identifying market needs, defining personal intentions, pursuing selfdevelopment as a project, and engaging in personal brand marketing.”
At the same time, however, employers need to heed the call and develop employees so as to remain competitive.
According to performance agency LRMG, employees who feel their employers aren’t investing in their con- tinuous development are far more likely to think about leaving to pursue better opportunities like others who are given this opportunity. Employee development benefits both parties, especially since the knowledge gained can be applied to the workplace almost immediately.
Besides the impact of the recession, it is also worth considering, as the GetSmarter guide suggests, that in 2014 — more so than in other years — the demographics of the workplace will shift as a large portion of the boomers (those born from 1946 to 1964 and who have probably earned gold watches for years of service) will retire. With them goes a wealth of expertise and skills. This should result in a strong emphasis on training and mentorship.
“In South Africa, there is the added push towards short courses as a result of BBBEE and skills levies, which are forcing organisations to seriously look at the formal training
Short courses offer individuals and employers a smart solution
of staff,” says Devin Ross of Regenesys.
Because it is virtually impossible to go to university five or six times in a lifetime, as Soni suggests, short courses offer individuals and employers a smart solution. While it is still considered formal education, short courses do not necessarily require previous education. This makes them accessible to more people.
The landscape for continuing education in our country is a wide open space. There are thousands of offerings from universities, private colleges and online institutions. The question is where to go to find the right course.
“The biggest factor [in choosing a course] is not the length of the course, but the quality of the provider and the way the course is delivered,” says Johan Swanepoel, director at Wits Plus.
“Distance learning has a bad reputation for a good reason: static content delivered via the post with an exam date scheduled for some point in the future is not a good way to learn or develop real competence,” posits Paddock whose company is the first and only entirely online school to be accredited by any Seta.
“Our short courses allow working professionals to continuously upskill themselves in their own time, in an interactive and supportive online environment, and have their efforts recognised by a top university.”
“Of course, doing short courses through well-known establishments adds credibility to the qualification,” says Beate Stiehler of the University of Johannesburg’s department of marketing management.
“You know that the content is of a high standard and, if it is not, the department of education will be on your case. Also, the courses are run by the academic staff so you are assured of their qualifications.”
However, Professor Mark Hay of Mancosa warns: “Some short courses are overrated when the cost exceeds the value-for-money of the training, or one does the short courses to get the brand of the institution offering it. Some short courses are ridiculously expensive.”
It is worth remembering that short courses are no substitute for an undergraduate degree or diploma. Though they take less commitment than degrees, you must still put in time and effort to do well.
It is indisputable that most professionals will have to study further to keep up with the world of work. But it takes time and money. Prospective students are advised to research their options.