Lifelong Learning CICA website "Lif...

Lifelong Learning

CICA website

"Lifelong learning" and "competency" are buzzwords at the importance as many professions set about establishing mandatory professional disentanglement in response to an unpredictable marketplace. While neither word is new, what is of the present day is how they're being codified into professional standards.

Take, for instance, the Canadian Institute of CAs' of the present day CA Competency Map.

The Map, which is available to members at www.cica.ca/EducationPublications, identifies the competencies awaited of CAs by business, command and the public. It's generally being used as the basis for the profession's of the present day qualification process, and will also be used in the continuing increase and enhancement of provincial professional unfolding (CPD) programs.

While the Map has several audiences, for individual CAs it's meant to benefit as "a valuable guide to self-directed learning" and "a tool to help them shape personal professional growth programs throughout their careers."

This month we're hoping to provide a certain quantity of additional guidance on career education in the form of three interviews: first, Janet David, of Janet David & Company, Management Consultants Inc., gazes at lifelong learning from the perspective of the marketplace; then 2001 Lifetime Achievement winner Dennis Culver FCA, shares his conceptions on professional development over the years; and finally, Michael Waters, CA, manager of acquisitions at Intrawest, explains the reasons behind, and benefits of his decision several years ago to strive for an MBA.

Here's what they had to say.

Curiosity: a cornerstone for personal success

If and lifelong learning are the hottest buzzwords, "curiosity" is perhaps the hottest commodity. As Janet David reveals us, the marketplace is specifically looking for population who are genuinely passionate about their careers.

Q: Are employer now talking in space of times of "competencies"?

JD: Yes, as well as education and experience. The idea isn't strange but it's new in seasons of language, and it coincides with increasingly popular screening techniques like behavioural interviewing. Overall, screening and recruitment processe are becoming more rigorous to better assess competencies.

Q: What are employer looking for?

JD: Intrinsic qualities, like drive and curiosity, as well as skills in teamwork, question at issue solving, conflict resolution, and marketing.

To thrive, organizations ne to hire and retain well-informed persons who have the capacity to put to proof new things, make some mistakes, learn from those mistakes, and impel forward-emotionally mature people who have the ability to laugh, at life and themselves.

Employer are looking for folks who are able to lead, empathise, mentor, and inspire, and family whose past performance in life and work is consistent with the skills and attributes described in their begin agains Employers want to know: What have you done that demonstrates authentic curiosity and a consistent commitment to learning and development? What are the choices you've made and the goals you've set? What unplanned opportunities have you seized, and how? in what way have you helped others succeed?

Q: What does the universal of lifelong learning mean to you?

JD: It means more than professional disclosure While a degree or certificate is an important base in succession which to build, for clan to thrive at work, their education and credentials must resonate with something they're personally passionate about.

Authentic lifelong learning is driven internally. It's a penetrating heartfelt, sometimes abstract, but to a high degree strong desire to "know." Think of each stage of your education as a "ticket to entry" that uncloses a new door.

Q: Is it important to create a lifelong plan for learning?

JD: Ye because it's increasingly challenging to come by the education you're looking for. nevertheless accept that everyone plans differently. any people make explicit, quite specific long-term goals, while others find their way on responding to serendipitous circumstances with curiosity and commitment.

What's critical is that you revisit your plan forward a regular basis to find on the outside if you're living the life you want and if not, what you have to do to prepare there.

Q: Any advice for those who be excited a little lost?

JD: Lack of clarity is not a character flaw, in such a manner be kind to yourself, further take action. Action is the oxygen that gives life to personal dreams.

Get without there and talk to clan Ask them about the choices they've made. confer with a professional, like an industrial psychologist, to memorize a better understanding of your personality and skills.

Formal training is vital, yet lifelong learning conies from each aspect of living, so degree out of your comfort climate take a leap of faith, and prove new things. The marketplace is looking for persons who are well rounded.

A lifetime of learning

"Well rounded" certainly appear to bes an apt description for Dennis Culver FCA-WWII veteran; father of nine; long-time small-practitioner; former ICABC and CICA president; Honorary Doctor of SFU; road-trip aficionado; award-winning winemaker; and now budding memoirist.