An American businessman, Marshall McLuhan, once said that, "the future of work consists of learning a living". It's an idea that our trainees have signed up to. They've come together because they want to kick-start their careers. They knew that they'd have a lot to learn in a short time. But how prepared were they for reality?

It takes effort
The tests reminded everyone that learning takes effort. That every question is easy when you know the answer. It's getting the answer that's the hard part, the bit that takes most effort.

There's no short cut to learning so the test results weren't a surprise. People who'd put in the effort and paid attention did well. Those who'd coasted did badly. A couple of trainees got their brains confused with sponges. They seemed to think that if they left them alone to get on with it, they'd absorb things by themselves. Sorry folks, it doesn't work that way.

Future proof yourself
There was a time when leaving school marked the end of learning. People celebrated. They burnt their bags, books, files and uniforms. It was like an initiation ceremony - here comes adulthood and the real world of work.

It's not like that today. What people know, understand and can do when they start work won't last them for life. Everyone needs to keep learning so that they can cope with change. New technology and gadgets at home. New developments and standards at work.

Turning your back on learning is the same as saying that you don't want to work. You're limiting your future prospects.

Use it or lose it
Learning is like any other skill. It gets rusty and decays if it's not used. It doesn't matter where you're learning - school, college, work or home. It's essential to:

• exercise your skills – read, watch, listen, work with other people, ask questions, solve problems, have a go
• be organised – make sure you've got everything you need, including time and space
• be single-minded – concentrate on the task
• get support – there's no loss of face in asking for help
• go over what you learn – forgetting is easier than remembering
• hold on to what motivates you – keep going by reminding yourself why you're learning; what you want to get out of it in the end.

Check out the links on this site to find out more about learning opportunities that might suit you.