The Importance Of Informal Learning

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CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION

It is said by the proponents of informal learning that over seventy percent of what people learn at work and in life in general is learned socially and informally. As evident, language is first learned in the informal settings of home and not in the classroom. For majority of human beings, their social skills are steadily acquired as well as refined through experiences in life instead of etiquette classes. And in the success in the workplace, it is deemed several of the most critical skills like teamwork, collaboration, communication and even technical skills, are cultivated by means of the ongoing and invaluable informal workplace learning – job shadowing, peer reviews, coaching and mentoring (CARA Group Inc, 2010). …show more content…

Hence, the learning that takes place in the workplace plays an important role for individuals in acquiring professional knowledge. In the research of Cunningham and Hillier (2013) also, it is found out that the younger workforce look upon the older workers when it comes to dealing with their work and that these older workers, most of whom are over 45 years old, tend to learn from their experiences. Most of the learning that take place workplace are considered informal, manifested in the process of questioning, listening, observing and the like. As what Sorohan (1993) asserted that nearly 90 percent workplace learning comes from informal learning.
In defining the concept of informal learning, the CARA Group Inc (2010) describes it as a form of learning that is taking place independently from course-specific work or instructor-led classes like mentoring, coaching, performance support systems and materials, self-study programs and online community-based learning business or social networks. In employee training, informal learning is identified to be a vital tool as it is a significant support or source of …show more content…

However, one issue that comes to fore in this context is as to whether the high cost of formal trainings will be translated into beneficial outcomes. In China, the rapid development of its economy in the recent years, has given rise to intensified competition in its banking sector. This intensified competition has tapped not only the need for formal learning but as well as the increased recognition on the power of informal learning to harness professional development that can eventually lead to organizational success. Thus, the aim of this study is to explore on the effectiveness of informal learning in the workplace, specifically in the case of commercial banks in China. In particular, it will evaluate the impact of informal learning on the professional development of employees. To carry these out, this paper will determine the status of informal learning in the commercial banks of China. The factors influencing the effectiveness of informal learning in the banking sector will also be identified. Lastly, this paper will evaluate the extent to which informal learning relates to personal development and career

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