The ongoing process of acquiring new skills, knowledge, and experiences to advance one's career and improve job performance.
The concept emerged from vocational training traditions but became formalized during the post-WWII economic boom when companies began investing in employee education. It gained prominence in the 1970s with the rise of human resources as a distinct business function. The term reflects the shift from jobs-for-life to continuous learning models.
Professional development was once primarily the employer's responsibility, but it's increasingly become an individual pursuit as career paths have become less predictable. The concept of 'lifelong learning' emerged partly because the average person now changes careers 5-7 times during their working life, compared to 1-2 times in previous generations.
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