Lifelong learning for engineers: a global perspective

In the not too distant past a person's skills, knowledge, understanding and competence were judged largely on the initial education and training that he or she had undertaken, with continuing professional development (CPD) being seen as an optional extra by those who had enthusiasm for it. Gradually CPD has come to be recognized as an important, even vital, means of keeping up to date in one's chosen career. As we move rapidly and inexorably to a knowledge-based global society CPD is seen as a key component of the wider concept of lifelong learning. Such learning is continuous and not simply related to employment. It is formal, non-formal and informal and contributes to personal as well as professional development. In this paper I consider what the 21st century holds in terms of lifelong learning and CPD and touch on some related issues, including coaching and mentoring.