As much as they might not like to admit it, folks in the continuing education business don't really mind an economic downturn. That's when their business can really pick up.

Either as a result of a planned or forced transition, professionals displaced from their careers often explore other educational options to prepare them for another line of work. Or, in some cases, many come to the classroom just to learn more about something in which they are interested. Either way, the wide variety of continuing education programs available can meet the need.

Those who administer continuing education programs tell us that they are benefiting from the aging of the baby boomer generation, as more and more nontraditional students are returning to the classroom. A study conducted by the U.S. Department of Education in 2002 highlights the older undergraduate population as well, which is more likely to attend part-time due to family and work responsibilities.

Continuing education is on the upswing for several reasons:

• Mergers, acquisitions and closures are sending more and more highly competent professionals into the job market. Many need to refine or update their skills to be best positioned for future employment.
  
  
• As service-industry jobs feel the pressures of outsourcing and manufacturing jobs decrease, the need for employees to stay current in industry-related skills is critical.
  
  
• More than half of the world's 500 largest corporations were located in the U.S. in the 1970s; today less than one third are located here. A trained workforce is essential for the nation to maintain our share of the global economy.
  
  
• Uncertain economic conditions in the past several years have sent many people directly into the workforce rather than to colleges and universities. Part-time continuing education programs offer them the opportunity to pursue their education while maintaining their careers.
  
  
• Having completed their careers, many retirees are interested in learning in other subject matter areas unrelated to their former work lives.
  
  
• The Baby Boomer generation is well-educated. Researchers believe that well-educated people drive the demand for more educational opportunities. They know that there is a positive relationship between the level of education attained and the tendency to pursue continuing education opportunities.
  
  
• That same generation will drive a high demand for healthcare professionals. Continuing education is critical to those who work caring for others and how need to stay updated on the latest technologies and treatments.
  
  
• Nearly half of all federal government employees will face retirement age in the next 5-10 years. Job openings will be extensive, and individuals seeking to change careers will need training.
  
  
• Paid for continuing education opportunities are popular benefits and help employers retain qualified and high-performing employees.
  
  
• Learning for the sake of learning, particularly among the growing senior citizens market, drives the development of courses in history, the arts and language.
  
  
• With the advent of a more diverse workforce, English as a Second Language classes are become more popular.
  
  
• Increasing awareness of the importance of entrepreneurship for the national economy is driving many individuals to pursue an idea for business ownership, often requiring extensive education in company start-up, marketing, finance and management.
  
  
• The rapid growth in online learning makes continuing education more convenient for working adults.

A recent Wall Street Journal article reported that most Americans can expect to change careers at least three to five times and hold 7-12 different positions in their work lifetimes. The disappearance of lifetime employment opportunities has required workers to become more agile and flexible in adapting to changing conditions.

As a result, those in the business of preparing those workers have had to become more agile themselves. The positive result in central Missouri is a wide array of educational offerings to meet nearly any budget, schedule, interest area and delivery method. The choice is ours.

Authored by: Mary Paulsell, Associate Director, University Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, Columbia, MO
Date Reviewed: 9/8/06