Introduction

Since launching Enterprise in 2005, it’s pleasing to note that we now have more than 200 readers. In each issue we have a core theme on which we provide case studies, expert industry opinion, latest research trends and more. In this issue, the theme is education, learning and skills.

When listening to our clients and seeing what is being discussed in the media, in policy papers and in client correspondence, we have noted many references to the term 'lifelong learning' - but what does this term mean? You could say that it is continuous learning over the course of a lifetime. It comes down to the same old question: do you have 20 years' experience or one year of experience multiplied by 20?

Lifelong learning is partly an attitude of mind. If you fall into the trap of thinking you know a lot, which we are prone to do in narrow professional disciplines, you can stop learning. Alternatively, as it has been referred to in studies of medical specialists and teachers, 'knowing more and more about less and less'.

Learning is about environment and infrastructure too. The realisation of lifelong learning as a practical proposition is about flexibility in the system and making sure there are opportunities and enablers for people to learn in the way they want to learn, at the time they want to learn.

Whilst this issue of Enterprise has a clear theme, it is a broad scope in the fields of education, skills, the labour market and more.

Happy reading!

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