Mid-career is often described as the phase when individuals have moved beyond their initial career-building years and are focusing on long-term growth opportunities. This stage can also bring increased financial responsibilities. However, with rapid changes in the job market, previous knowledge might become outdated. How can e-learning address this challenge?
Dr. Prem Das Maheshwari, Business Director – South Asia at D2L, explains, “As generative AI transforms white-collar work, individuals are not only aiming to secure a job but also striving for a future-proof career. A recent survey on ‘Upskilling Trends in India for 2024’ revealed that 85% of Indians believe upskilling is essential for future-proofing their careers. Notably, 93% of professionals with over nine years of experience view upskilling as critical for career advancement.”
How E-Learning Benefits Mid-Career Professionals
Maheshwari notes that mid-career professionals often prefer e-learning due to its flexibility, accessibility, and self-paced nature. E-learning can significantly impact career advancement by helping professionals enhance their value, acquire skills for upward mobility, and transition into new industries. Providing mid-senior management with upskilling tools also supports organizational growth and boosts workplace productivity.
He points out that mid-career professionals are utilizing various e-learning modalities to improve their skills, including MOOCs, formal higher education courses, and webinars. E-learning authoring tools also enable educators to create interactive content efficiently. Additionally, microlearning—through short videos and bite-sized articles—is becoming popular for its ease of access and consumption.
Siddharth Banerjee, CEO of UNIVO Education, shares, “We observe that mid-senior professionals approach e-learning with a clear focus on immediate career impact. They seek courses and tools that address their current roles, enhance specific skills, and lead to tangible career growth. In contrast, students and recent graduates often use e-learning for foundational knowledge and exploring career options. The curriculum for graduates needs to be more industry-focused to provide employment-ready skills.”
Enhancing Learning Outcomes
Maheshwari adds, “Cloud computing allows organizations and educational institutions to create shared pools of resources and multimedia tools, fostering better collaboration among educators. Innovations like gamification and AR/VR are further enhancing the learning experience.”
Banerjee highlights the growing importance of integrating social learning elements into online courses, such as collaborative projects and peer feedback. He notes, “The World Economic Forum predicts that by 2025, 70% of internet users will be mobile-only, underscoring the need for mobile-optimized e-learning content. Personalized learning pathways are also gaining traction in the corporate sector. AI and machine learning are increasingly used to tailor e-learning experiences to individual needs and career goals, ensuring that mid-senior professionals upskill in a way that maximizes their career growth.”
Emerging Certifications and Learning Trends
Banerjee points out that online degrees are becoming more mainstream, with increasing demand from learners and universities. “Another notable trend is the rise of microcredentials. These short, focused certifications allow professionals to quickly validate specific skills and enhance their resumes,” he explains. This approach is gaining popularity due to its flexibility and relevance in the evolving job market.
Maheshwari adds that educators and faculty members, who are also lifelong learners, play a crucial role in adapting pedagogy to meet the needs of 21st-century learners, thereby improving overall learning outcomes.