Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic early last year, we’ve all had to navigate many changes in our personal and professional lives. From working remotely to integrating new technology into our day-to-day routine, we continue to adapt.
One outcome of COVID-19 has been industry professionals upskilling on their terms, from attaining professional certifications and designations to attending online webinars and conferences. Additionally, we are now in what is coined the Great Resignation, the ongoing trend of voluntarily leaving a job. Four million Americans quit their jobs in one month alone[i] and although some left the job market permanently, such as those retiring early, others have re-evaluated their situation and decided to pursue new opportunities, resulting in an unprecedented demand for training and professional certification.
Earning a certification has long been a viable alternative to updating skills at a fraction of the cost and time needed to earn a new degree. Pre-COVID numbers demonstrate this trend. According to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), 23.4% of all adults aged 25-64 contained a non-degree credential in 2016 (most recent study).[ii] In addition, NCES showed that adults with a work credential had a 5.7% lower unemployment rate than their non-credentialed peers: 4.6% vs. 10.3%. The vast majority, 76.7%, used their “most important” work credential in their current job.[iii] Over 90% indicated that a work credential was useful in landing and retaining a job and keeping themselves marketable.[iv]
With the demand for education at an all-time high, we want to hear how learning preferences have changed as a result of the pandemic. When learning a new topic, do people prefer to watch a video or read an article? Are professionals so accustomed to remote communication that it is now actually a preference? This is essential information when operating in a complex environment, where knowledge must adapt to changing conditions.
To help answer these questions, we’ve developed a brief survey to gather data and provide a benchmark for future insight.
Click here to participate in this 5-minute survey and help inform the way we offer professional education for the future workforce. All responses are confidential and will only be used in the aggregate to inform an industry insights report.
As a thank-you for participation, the SS&C Learning Institute is offering complimentary access for six months to the GAMMA online library. Great news if you are one of the many professionals staying in the workforce and seeking to update your skills. The GAMMA library offers you a convenient way to learn about the financial markets while attaining continuing professional education (CPE) credits.
[i] https://www.bls.gov/news.release/jolts.nr0.htm
[ii] https://nces.ed.gov/surveys/ctes/tables/A44.asp
[iii] https://nces.ed.gov/surveys/ctes/tables/A68.asp
[iv] https://nces.ed.gov/surveys/ctes/tables/A74.asp
