Importance of Continuing Education

Continuing education is any extension of opportunities for reading, study and training to young persons and adults following their completion of or withdrawal from full time school and college.

Industrialisation and its fast paced developments in technology are constant. Continuing education is therefore essential for job aspirants and job seekers as they need to stay updated with the latest technologies and developments in their respective careers.  Also professionals need to pursue continuing education for remaining compliant with new laws or to remain licensed, certified to maintain membership with the institute.

Professionals pursuing medical, legal, logistics, accounting, biotech fields need to develop skills that are crucial in their fast changing industries.

Continuing education in Logistics & SCM

Logistics and supply chain professionals learn on the job. However some logistics professionals pursue learning opportunities. Some associations are catering to such opportunities by offering certifications in logistics and supply chain management include:

• The American Society of Transportation and Logistics (AST&L) offers a Certification in Transportation and Logistics (CTL) and Professional Designation in Logistics and Supply Chain Management (PLS).
• The Association for Operations Management (APICS) offers both the Certified Production Inventory Management (CPIM) and Certified Supply Chain Professional (CSCP) certifications.
• The Institute of Supply Management (ISM) runs its Certified Professional in Supply Management (CPSM) program.
• Supplier-focused groups such as the International Warehouse Logistics Association (IWLA) and Transportation Intermediaries Association (TIA) set and recognize member qualifications.

  

Continuing Education Formats

Continuing education is offered in different formats, with many being flexible to accommodate work schedules. These programs can take place at colleges and universities, training centres, or at the workplace. Continuing education is often delivered as degree-completion programs, certificate programs, and diploma programs at colleges.

Non-traditional higher and continuing education programs are available in e-learning (Blackboard and WebEx)  online mode which is becoming more popular along with other technology-based, interactive instruction, and electronic conferencing.

Continuing education in India  

Continuing education is being offered in India by

Premier management institutes like IIM, IIMM, MDI, NMIMS, IMTC etc  offer continuing education programs to executives that are specifically designed to help executives to broaden their understanding and improve skills to face challenging assignments in higher positions.

Premier Tech institutes like Indian Institute of Technology & Indian Institute of Science are making its expertise and facilities available in the form of continuing education through short terms refresher programs to assist technical personnel in respective industry.

Legal education institutes like The M.K. Nambiar Academy for Continuing Legal Education has set up under a bar council for training young lawyers to pursue research. The institute has organised many workshops and programmes for training young lawyers including a workshop on child rights.

Continuing Medical Education  :  Indian Medical Associations and its state chapters, Recognised Medical colleges, Recognised Post Graduate medical institutions offer Continuing Medical Education (CME) . In fact The Indian Medical Association requires a Physician to participate in professional meetings as part of CMEs for at least 30 credit hours every five hours

For nurses, there are typically two types of continuing education. The first is required for them to remain licensed & the second type of continuing education allows them to get more advanced degrees and qualify for higher-level nursing positions.

Chartered accountants Cost and Work Accountants,  Certified public accountants also need to meet continuing education requirements established by their respective Institutes their licenses are held.

To summarize :  Whether it is required or not, continuing education can be important for career satisfaction. Continuing education can boost confidence and lead to opportunities for career advancement.

Therefore the professionals must adapt and commit themselves to a ‘life-long learning’ philosophy from “womb” to “tomb” as it enhances effectiveness, diagnose and more quickly solves problems.   It is critically important that professionals stay up to date on current developments and in compliance with changes in laws and regulations, as well as technological advancements.