From ‘Formal’ Training to Self-Directed, Intentional Learning
Reports in 2020 have described “intentional learning” as the most fundamental skill for professionals to cultivate in the coming decades. In a similar vein to the notion that we should all be “lifelong learners''; that is, recognising that developing our skills is not just an aspiration, but with changing job markets is essential; intentional learning is understood as the practice of treating every experience as an opportunity to learn.
Rather than being something that occurs formally and in isolation, beyond the parameters of a standard working day, the desire to learn is in this way rather understood as an always-on, instinctive approach adopted in everyday situations - a mindset that embraces a proactive, self-directed approach to learning that can take place anytime, anywhere. In today’s world, terms such as ‘time-starved’, ‘time-poor’ and ‘time scarcity’ are phrases that we hear all too often, and in a time where many of us simply feel like there are not enough hours in the day, days in the months or months in the year, it is perhaps more useful to think of skills development in this way. This approach acknowledges the reality that where specific gaps in skills or knowledge may be self-identified within a live working environment while “on the job”, formal training courses may be less relevant, and training and learning methods for building these skills within the immediate context can be broken down into “bite-sized” segments, from days or weeks into hours, and even minutes, as and when needed.
Over the past year, Barker Langham Recruitment has thoroughly enjoyed supporting the exciting developments of cultural and creative projects globally, with a focus on creating capacity and capability building programmes for clients in the Middle East to nurture emerging talent pipelines.
In January 2020, we launched Creative Futures, a flexible knowledge and skills development initiative which harnesses the benefits of Barker Langham’s extensive global network to provide opportunities for creatives within the sector to pursue lines of investigation that flow to the needs of the live working environment, as well as individual interests and aspirations. This leads to each participant on the Creative Futures programme embarking on an “EPIC” journey, with “Experiential” or “on the job” learning being a core component. In step with the notion that intentional learning should indeed treat every experience as an opportunity to learn, participants are encouraged to take a highly proactive approach to knowledge and skills-gaps identification. Using templates provided, participants can track, record and reflect upon their Experiential learning to focus in on “micro tasks” within wider work projects. In each case, such an exercise can reveal a skill that may be gained, harnessed or developed further through various methods, which may include sessions with other creatives, physical or digital study materials, and/or short courses.
As we emphasise that the programme is self-curated, the specific timing and order of the learning journey remains flexible and can be adapted to respond to emerging project needs and individual and collective responsibilities. To date, participants of Creative Futures have been able to strengthen and develop their skills, make local, regional, and international connections, broaden thought processes and guide future personal career pathways as a result.
Barker Langham Recruitment has been honoured to play such an important role in our candidates' career journeys, which are becoming increasingly “non-linear”, towards a truly creative, highly ambitious and interdisciplinary work landscape that will only continue to demand skills no longer exclusive to our sector, and vise versa.
We see the launch of this exciting programme in 2020 as a great achievement, and we are excited for the programme to potentially be rolled out to hundreds of young creatives worldwide next year!
What is a skill that you would like to develop in 2021?
If you would like to chat about learning and development opportunities for your staff, please get in touch with our Creative Consultant and coordinator of Creative Futures Amy Borchard at amy@barkerlangham.com today.
Amy Borchard
Creative Consultant, Barker Langham Recruitment