Returning to Learning - Back to School at Work

Today's workplaces are changing at the speed of light - new technologies, new people, changing expectations - all requiring new skills to keep up. Research shows that 1 in 5 adult Canadian workers will be in a workplace learning event within the next 7 days and by the end of September, 1 in 3 will have participated in workplace learning.

If all this learning is taking a toll, here are 3 quick tips to get you ready to go back to "school' at work as you get your kids back to school themselves. The skills you need for returning to learning are the skills you have already developed as an adult juggling multiple responsibilities: managing time, setting priorities, asking questions, and knowing yourself. Your formula for success is almost complete.

Accept that you ARE a good student.

Many workers are intimidated by workplace learning with a very real fear of whether they can measure up academically. Relax - your real life experiences and need for new information will win over that inner child trying to remember the times tables. Good workplace learning focuses on new skills that help at work - not how fast you memorize new information. And as an adult, you are already really good at learning new things to make your life easier.

Know why you are returning to learning.

Go into training knowing what you want to get out of it and you will be surprised how much you do. by having a clear idea of your expectations, you can help make sure the material is relevant to you and ask questions of the trainer that personalize the material to your needs.

You have transferable skills.

You already know just about everything you need to, to be successful. You may have to apply those critical thinking, problem solving and stress management skills to a new computer program or those conflict resolution or communication skills to a challenging colleague but you already have the skills - your learning is going to be about new situations and ways to apply them - easy peasy!

Tell us your favoutite workplace learning stories - good and bad - via email to dean@actraining.com. We'll enter your stories into a draw for 6 "School Bus" Photo Frame Magnet Craft Kit. 8 1/4" x 6"; holds three 1 1/8" x 1 1/4" photos so can show your trip back to school right alongside your kids!