Researchers to study importance and impact of lifelong learning in workplaces

How can successful companies use lifelong learning to have a competitive advantage in their enterprises? This is one of the questions being addressed by the new LLLight'in'Europe project, which wants to analyse the importance of lifelong learning activities to ensure better person to job fits.

This massive four-year European Union funded project will use the new method of Complex Problem Solving Skills (CPS) to measure employee's strengths in solving complex problems quickly and in a collaborative manner. The results of the study will allow businesses to tap into lifelong learning and achieve goals such as: attracting new talent and keeping them, fostering innovation and acquiring knowledge to enter new markets. This will then influence policy makers, business strategists, and individuals on incorporating lifelong learning into the workplace.

CPS uses computer-based testing for assessment. "Computer-based testing allows another level of assessment that is not possible with paper-pencil methods. It adds a dimension of testing as the individuals are sitting in front of their computers and being simulated with real-life experiences," said Dr. Samuel Greiff, a psychologist and researcher at the University of Luxembourg. He believes the methodology is far better as it can reflect changes that occur with informal learning that happens in the workplace.

The University of Luxembourg is collaborating with nine universities and research institutes from four disciplines to achieve the goals of the project. LLLight'in'Europe, which began in January 2012 will assess CPS capabilities in 4150 individuals over four years - 3850 employees from 50 successful companies in 15 EU countries and four non EU countries. An additional 300 will be entrepreneurs from across Europe. The project with a funding of 2.65 million euros will run until September 2016 with first results expected to be published in 2015.

Currently, there is not enough evidence to advise on the spending that should be allotted to lifelong learning. Hence, The European Commission Seventh Framework Programme (FP7) for Research and Technological Development - the EU's main tool for funding research in Europe has granted the LLLight'in'Europe project four years and 25 researchers.