The need for lifelong learning is the result of changes that take place in education as well as in the workplace. Educational changes are effected by new technology, new theories for teaching and learning as well as new education policies and regulations. The above-mentioned changes permanently changed the face of education.
Higher education institutions have been contributing to the economic and social development needs of the country, however, they need to keep abreast of change to provide effective and efficient service to their customers.
Institutions of higher learning are expected to provide opportunities for economic and social advancement by producing highly skilled manpower who should be able to participate in a highly competitive global economy.
The concept of lifelong learning is related to staff development and training. The researcher investigated institutions of higher education as learning organisations and how they implement lifelong learning. A more thorough research was conducted on how staff development can be utilised as a mechanism for effective lifelong learning for academics in institutions of higher learning.
An empirical investigation has been conducted to ascertain specific needs of academics as well as their attitudes towards lifelong learning. It was encouraging to realise that attitudes of academics towards lifelong learning are positive.
The researcher explored the information from both empirical research and literature study to suggest guidelines for staff development as well as recommendations to encourage staff to attend training sessions. In this project the researcher looked at approaches to staff development as well as staff development models. Delivery modes of staff development were identified and, most importantly, the researcher looked at how training needs were identified.
Despite the positive response and attitudes of academics towards lifelong learning, it is important for institutions of higher learning to introduce incentive schemes to ensure academics' participation in, as well as attendance of training programmes.
