"The illiterate of the 21st Century will not be those who cannot read and write, but those who cannot learn, unlearn and relearn." This statement is often attributed to American author Alvin Toffler (Future Shock). Whether he said exactly those words doesn't really matter. What matters is what he was talking about: Learning, or perhaps more accurately, education.
Aristotle remarked that education is the best provision for old age. Widely considered to be fundamental to the underpinning of civilized society, it challenges us, transports us from ignorance to knowledge and inability to proficiency. It provides us with tools to better understand ourselves, others and how the world works.
A company that focuses on offering continuing education to its employees improves the competence of its workforce while developing a greater degree of loyalty because additional training enhances the experience of working for such a company.
If the company is unable to offer the additional instruction in-house, it will find itself well-served if it encourages (if not financially supports) employees seeking to further educate themselves. The company that teaches its clients and contractors provides a value-added service, elevating its own status, its brand, in the marketplace.
Technology is often overlooked in this discussion. Whether it be instructing clients about the importance of social media in business or employees on how to use more advanced software in their jobs, continuing education in this area is fundamental to greater success.
Regardless of the form it takes, further learning yields a sense of achievement, of self-improvement. Many are surprised to find that making the life changes necessary to return to the classroom is both worthwhile and easier than feared. And they are again reminded that greater success comes with a wholehearted pursuit.