This thought leadership piece written by Āpōpō Product Manager, Mike Curry.
As the practice of Asset Management evolves rapidly, the skills of learning and adaptation are more crucial than ever. Professionals must stay ahead of the curve to ensure their skills remain relevant and effective.
This article explores five transformative trends shaping the future of Asset Management education, each designed to enhance learning experiences and better prepare asset managers for the challenges ahead.
1. Let’s See Where This Leads
Because of the vast volume of resources available online, Asset Managers can – more than ever – follow their curiosity to learn something new. Called “self-directed learning” this type of motivated, independent and resourceful learner loves to explore and solve problems without necessarily relying on external instruction.
Organisations can support self-directed learners by creating an environment that encourages curiosity and exploration – and especially by allowing time for professional development. In doing so, organisations cultivate a more knowledgeable and adaptable workforce.
2. One-Size-Fits-None
One-size-fits-all training programmes are becoming obsolete. Instead, personalised learning experiences offer customised learning paths tailored to individual career stages and roles. This approach ensures that training is relevant and directly applicable to the learner’s responsibilities.
Organisations can identify skill gaps and create targeted training programs that address specific needs. Personalised learning not only improves engagement and retention but also enhances the overall effectiveness of learning initiatives.
Conduct regular skills assessments to understand the strengths and weaknesses of your asset management workforce. – Āpōpō Guide 3.6.2
3. Ain’t Nobody Got Time For That
In a time of cutbacks and increased pressure to perform, professional development opportunities need to be short, sharp, and direct.
Formats that can be consumed quickly help Asset Managers increase their skills without being away from their work for extended periods. Short-form learning has the added benefit of facilitating better comprehension and retention by chunking information.
4. Softly, Softly
While technical knowledge is essential, soft skills such as leadership, communication, and strategic thinking are critical for effective decision-making and team collaboration. Learning material which incorporates soft skills development helps to create well-rounded professionals.
Organisations will see benefits in strong working relationships, better customer interactions, and improved stakeholder engagement.
Asset Management is multidisciplinary and cross functional, requiring people who can work effectively in multidisciplinary teams, and are open to evidence, methodologies and approaches used by people with different experiences and knowledge and to integrate and interpret these into decision-making. – GFMAM Asset Management Landscape
5. Lifelong Learners will Rule the World
A lifelong learner is someone who actively seeks to acquire new knowledge and skills throughout their life.
Continuous professional development is no longer optional but essential for staying relevant in the Asset Management field, whether it is general competencies (such as computer literacy, or AI basics), soft skills, or AM-specific skills.
Organisations that promote a culture of lifelong learning benefit from a more skilled and motivated workforce, capable of adapting to changing market conditions and emerging technologies.
It is important to promote a lifelong learning culture that encourages diversity of thought, equity, and inclusion. – GFMAM Asset Management Landscape
Conclusion
The landscape of Asset Management education is undergoing significant transformation, driven by advancements in technology and changing industry demands.
By embracing these trends, organisations can ensure their workforce remains adaptable, knowledgeable, and prepared for the future. As the field of Asset Management continues to evolve, so too must the approaches to educating its professionals, paving the way for a more innovative and resilient industry.
Nice article, thank you. I agree with all points, except perhaps #3. Too much focus on short sharp learning will miss the importance of having time and space to digest ideas so they may sink deeply in. People should make time for that.
Hi Dan, yes I agree it’s important to have time and space to digest ideas. #3 suggests the idea of ‘chunking’ which allows the learner to digest. Put another way, if there’s 6 hours of learning that needs to take place, better to chunk it into 3 x2 hour sessions and allow time in between for reflection, than to do 1 x6 hour session where all the ideas are transferred at once. (Although there may be reasons for a 6 hour session, such as limited time with a subject matter expert.)