 (ARA) - Continuing education is a life-long learning process. In its most general definition, continuing education is intended for adult learners. Students pursuing continuing education opportunities often enroll part-time in university courses for credit. They may also choose to enroll in noncredit courses, often for personal or vocational enrichment.
Continuing Education and the Employer
Continuing education helps employers retain employees and stay competitive. Training of employees is an investment in two distinct ways. First, a more educated employee tends to be more productive. Second, training can be seen as a way to attract and retain talented employees.
In many cases, employers sponsor in-house training as well as underwrite the costs of education away from the workplace. Dede Hughes, EVP, of the National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC), says, “One of the most important benefits that an employer can give their employees is the opportunity to take continuing education classes. This is for the benefit of the employer and the employee. I feel an employer should pay for these classes (either all or in part) but just giving them time off is a great help. I encourage my employees to better educate themselves each year and I pay for classes that are applicable to their position with NAWIC.”
Fifty-five percent of the companies ranked by Fortune Magazine as the “100 Best Companies to Work For” paid for 21 to 40 hours of training per employee in 2001. Another 34 percent paid for 41 to 80 hours of training, and eight percent paid for more than 80 hours of training per employee, per year. In addition to training, many companies offer tuition reimbursement, college planning assistance and paid or unpaid sabbaticals.
A variety of other benefits offered to employees can positively affect an employee’s ability to pursue continuing education or training. Flex-time, reduced hour employment, telecommuting and on-site childcare all make the pursuit of higher education more easily attainable to those working full-time jobs.
Continuing Education Units
The purpose of Continuing Education Units (CEUs) is to provide a permanent record of the educational accomplishments for the individual who has completed one or more significant non-credit educational experiences.
Some companies require employees to complete a certain number of CEUs each year. These credits help employers stay ahead of the game by keeping employees’ knowledge current.
Encouraging employees to go back to school to complete a degree can help continue the life-long learning process or make a career change within the organization.
Degree Programs
For anyone interested in entering the construction industry, it is facing tremendous change. Advances in materials and processes -- combined with new management practices, legal issues and environmental concerns -- require increasing attention. With the growing number of large-scale projects, the development of construction professionals and project managers is more important than ever. With online, night or weekend classes, many master’s degree programs are designed for working people.
At the University of Washington in Seattle, the departments of construction management and civil and environmental engineering have jointly developed a set of online learning graduate certificate programs and master’s degrees in construction engineering to meet the educational needs of working professionals in the construction industry.
Western Carolina University offers an online Master of Construction Management degree. This cohort-based program can be completed in two years. CEUs and degree programs are just two of the ways continuing education students are staying ahead. Certificates and certifications offered by construction-related associations and universities are another avenue available and may be a more practical route for students to take.
Certificates and Certifications
Denver’s Colorado State University offers certificates in project management, construction management, green building, advanced estimating and more.
On the West coast, Cal State East Bay offers a comprehensive construction management certificate program.
NAWIC’s Education Foundation offers three certifications: Certified Construction Associate (CCA), Construction Document Specialist (CDS) and Construction Industry Technician (CIT). Certifications like these can easily contribute to employees’ efforts to stay ahead of the game by offering fast, focused skills and knowledge. Many certification programs allow students to independently study the material and then take an exam before issuing the certification. This “self-education” is a popular trend in today’s fast-paced world.
Everyone Benefits
Many opportunities for continuing education are available to those wanting to further their careers and advance to the next rung on the career ladder. Pursuing advanced degree programs, CEUs, certifications and self- education solutions will help employees and employers stay ahead of the game. Improved work performance increases company productivity. Ultimately, everyone benefits from continuing education. |
Courtesy of ARA Content |
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