Learning in the Technology Field: How to Capture the Benefits of Self-Direction?

In the technology sector, continuous on-the-job learning is essential to maintain the competitiveness of an organization and the skills of individuals. This is due to the fast-changing nature of the technology sector, which means that training alone cannot meet the ongoing learning needs of professionals in the sector. Many workplaces in the sector operate in a flexible and self-directed way. When learning is part of daily work, it is also self-directed and often autonomous, with the responsibility for it resting with the experts themselves. However, self-directed learning poses a number of challenges that companies should be aware of. These challenges can be addressed through management. The benefits of self-directed learning can best be brought to the organization with the right support, frameworks, and managerial work. This article first describes the context of the technology sector for learning at work. It then presents four learning theories that emphasize autonomy and self-direction and describes the pitfalls that these learning approaches can have in the workplace. Finally, solutions and practical ways of avoiding the problematic aspects of self-directed learning in the workplace will be presented. The article suggests that the manager has a key role in supporting self-directed, on-the-job learning. In practice, leaders can promote self-directed learning by communicating the vision of the organization, providing resources and tools to support learning, enabling teamwork, and fostering an open and error-tolerant organizational culture.