Knowledge Workers’ Self-Directed Learning Framework for ‘Future of Work’ Era

Abstract

We live in a time of relentless change, and the new context of ‘Future of Work’ affects every working individual. It is estimated that the number of highly qualified employees will surpass the demand, resulting in increased concern for knowledge worker’s own employability and competitiveness in the job market. Simultaneously digital transformation will transform almost all currently established job roles, and new 21st century skills are required. For this reason, iterative continuous learning and updating of skillset are imperative.

This Master’s thesis aims to develop a conceptual self-directed learning framework that a mid-career knowledge worker can leverage on in his/her proactive management of career and in future-proofing oneself. The beneficiary of the thesis is a knowledge worker, not a company. The research-based development work used the Double Diamond framework as a tool to construct the overall work.

The theoretical framework is constructed around concepts of knowledge worker, competency, and skills requirements in the context of Future of Work, and adult learning theories of andragogy and self-directed learning. These entities are viewed to provide knowledge and tools to future-proof oneself. Qualitative in-depth interviews with a purposively selected sample were conducted to gain insights for development and co-creation of the framework.

The results of the development work confirm that the proposed concepts provide a navigation tool for a knowledge worker that can facilitate and improve his/her learning. The outcome of this development work is a conceptual framework that enables a knowledge worker more informed learning decisions and selection of learning strategies that ultimately create action towards more future-proof and continuously employable self.