Distance Learning for Working Professionals
All professional sectors now demand that their internal managers and specialists, and their external consultants and advisors, are appropriately experienced and hold up to date qualifications. This is the world of continuous professional development. If you are a manager, expert, specialist, working for an organisation, public, private, charity, ngo, family owned, small or large, this is expected of you. If you are an entrepreneur, consultant, independent, freelance, you are expected to be able to demonstrate that you are keeping up to date, that you are continuously developing your background knowledge and your specialist skills. Distance learning is a good first choice for continuous professional development.
The growth of distance learning has area has been exponential. The Unesco report, from 2002, highlighted the role that distance learning is playing, and not only in the developing countries, but in the highly developed countries too. It describes distance learning "as a force contributing to social and economic development, open and distance learning is fast becoming an accepted and indispensable part of the mainstream of educational systems in both developed and developing countries" In the USA, distance and open learning is now well established, not only for working, mature, students, but interestingly, for school students also. In 2003 it was estimated that "more than 30% of schools are offering courses over the internet and through video conferencing." US Education Department analysts predict a doubling of this within 5 years, to over 60% of US schools offering courses by distance learning. In Africa, across the continent, distance learning is rapidly overtaking classroom study, with predictions that by the year 2010 there will be over 10 million working professionals studying by distance learning. In 2004, students enrolled on distance learning courses with the Indira Gandhi Open University, in India, totaled over 400,000. In addition to the evidence provided by the exponential, massive growth that is happening and is forecast to continue, employers around the world are accepting distance learning qualifications as equally credible with classroom ones. In most of the professions, such as accountancy, engineering, teaching, distance learning is already firmly established. In disciplines such as project management, quality management, supply chain management, marketing, distance learning is growing rapidly as a highly credible alternative to classroom delivery. In fact, for professionals in project management, consultancy, quality management, and accountancy, study by distance learning now dominates and is the preferred choice of most professionals. Examples of how well established the acceptance of employers has become is provided by the global giants, such as Microsoft, Dell, British Airways, General Motors, Reliance, HSBC, and Nissan, all of whom readily recruit those with distance learning qualifications. In Education, most leading universities, on all continents, are now offering courses delivery by classroom and by distance learning. Colleges, universities, business schools, in the private and public sectors, are all accepting distance learning qualifications as satisfying entry requirements for students to move on to higher levels of study (which can often be by distance learning!).
How acceptable is distance learning? Totally acceptable. For younger, working, developing managers, specialists, a carefully selected distance learning course is totally appropriate, and totally credible. For older, working, mature, more experienced professionals, a distance learning course and-or qualification, is highly appropriate, often the only option, but totally acceptable.
Related Tags: business, learning, management, quality, distance, project, courses, foundation, diploma, hnd, hnc
CJ Williams is a tutor and management consultant currently working with Brighton School of Business and Management in the UK, specialising in Business and Management courses taught via distance learning.
CJ has had a wide and varied career including working as an Executive Manager in the Hospitality Industry, a Management and Business consultant in the Middle East, Europe and Asia and a Management Lecturer in the UK and China.
He currently focuses on helping individuals and teams to develop personally and professionally.
The writer, CJ Williams, can be contacted at cjwilliams@brightonsbm.com or via http://www.brightonsbm.com
Your Article Search Directory : Find in ArticlesRecent articles in this category:
- Human Impact on Droughts
Drought is an extended period of exceptionally low precipitation. A drought can feature additional w - The Ultimate Goal of Ecology
Ecology is the study of the relationships of organisms with their living and nonliving environment. - Search for a Mystical Elixir of Life
In the seventh century A.D., the Arabs took control of Persia, North Africa, and Egypt. In the proc - A Miracle of Prophet Moses or a Chemistry Connection
Next to air, water is the most familiar substance on the earth and an adequate supply of water is e - Online Degrees From Georgian Universities: Your Key to Success
I know there are certain misgivings students generally tend to harbor about online degrees. Are the - University of True Socialist Studies
The Lonely Peoples's Socialist Aparty has established the 'University Of True Socialist Studies' fo - E-learning - All You Need to Know
The latest word that is doing the rounds on the internet is E-Learning. What is E Learning? Those w - 5 Tips to Find Best Online Education Opportunities
Online education provides a new way for students to earn their degree with convenience in term of f - Earn a Bachelor Degree Online - Why an Online University Bachelor Degree is Better
Is a bachelor degree online worth the time and money? I guess everything depends on the field of s - 10 Tips to Select a Thesis or Dissertation Topic
Following are 10 tips to help you get moving toward your goal of completing your degree: 1. Keep T
Most viewed articles in this category:
- Online Engineering Courses In The 21st Century
It should not be surprising that engineers are making full use of the internet for educational purpo - Online Traffic School Guide - One Stop Traffic School Course for Everyone
Online Traffic School is one stop source of quality online traffic school education that provides be - Distance Learning Accreditation & Online Degrees
Will employers value the online degree you have received? Will you be able to transfer credits from - Top 10 Books on Online Education, Diploma Mills and More
Let's face it - as potential online students, it is not uncommon for us to turn to our favorite onli - Stay Current With Nursing Continuing Education Online Courses
For nurses who are interested in expanding their present medical skills, nursing continuing educatio - Are Online Nursing Degree Programs For You?
The health care industry has been and remains one of the fastest growing industries in the US today. - 760 on Gmat: My First Step is Over
If you just started preparing for GMAT, Check out 10 ways to score 700+ in GMAT GMAT Test Pre - Do Online Mbas Make the Grade
The popularity of Online MBA is soaring but some are diploma mills, making recruiters wary of virtua - A Criminal Justice Degree Online - Would You Dare To Take The Step?
Have you ever considered taking a criminal justice degree online? Let's doA Little Thought Experime - Online Teaching With Moodle
Moodle: An Online Teacher's Dream We have run into some challenges as more and more universitie