Lifelong learning

Old pattern: people finished their formal schooling by their adulthood (latest when they turned 23), then spent the next 40 years working. Their knowledge and skillset was sufficient to do their jobs, as it didn't change much.

New pattern: skills and knowledge become totally outdated within 5-10 years. There is a prediction that people will work for 2-3 years, then spend 1-2 years on studying, in cycles.

I believe in a second version of the new pattern, where people have to update their knowledge and skills continuously, beside their work. My programmer friend just got a new job. He spent the first two months on learning about the company product. Now, after 4 months, he still says, there is a lot to learn. He is 45 years old now, studying, so that he can carry on with his job. He says, whatever he learnt 20 years ago is totally obsolete and worthless in his career.

In fact I am hired by an international company to help the workers to learn and update their knowledge continuously. I am a knowledge manager. Have you ever heard about this profession?

How do we make sure that our employees are on the top of their skills and knowledge?

1. In every six month, everybody, including the managers, even the CEO, has to take a strict exam on industrial news and updates. The passing score is 90%. People who don't pass, have to leave the company.
2. Every employee spends 3 hours weekly on learning company news and updates. They are regularly assigned to compulsory online courses.
3. We have weekly seminars, too. 10% of the employees are trainers.

Knowledge is power, and the company is one of the best in its industry, thanks to the highly trained employees.