Case Study

Advising Government on a National Lifelong Learning Policy Development

As a strategic consultant, we partnered with a ministry in MENA region on the development of a comprehensive Lifelong Learning (LLL) Policy at the national level. This policy aimed to foster a culture of continuous education, enhance workforce readiness, and align with the country’s National Agenda and strategic initiatives. Our advisory role focused on addressing systemic learning barriers, implementing innovative policy frameworks, and ensuring alignment with national priorities.

Challenges

The concerned country faced significant barriers to embedding lifelong learning as a cultural norm:

  1. Many individuals lacked motivation and positive experiences as learners, limiting their willingness to engage in lifelong learning activities.
  2. Factors such as work commitments, family responsibilities, and the social norm of funded education posed challenges to participation in learning opportunities.
  3. Structural challenges, such as the timing and accessibility of programs, made it difficult to offer seamless lifelong learning opportunities.
  4. Existing systems categorized people into rigid roles (e.g., student, employed, unemployed) that did not account for the dynamic nature of modern life and learning needs.
  5. The lack of a coordinated national framework hindered the scalability of lifelong learning initiatives.

Solution

To address these challenges, a comprehensive strategy got devised focusing on three core policy recommendations:

  1. Remodelling Education by featuring:
    • The importance of nurturing learning habits early in life.
    • Proactive support at key life stages, such as career transitions and retirement.
    • A fiscal framework to incentivize long-term investment in lifelong learning initiatives.
  2. Reclassifying societal roles to embed lifelong learning as a default expectation:
    • Transforming traditional roles (e.g., student, employee) into dynamic learner profiles.
    • Ensuring continuous access to learning opportunities tailored to life stages and career pathways.
    • Providing optimal awareness and support systems for learners at all stages.
  3. Integrating learning into everyday environments by:
    • Promoting education through work routines, hobbies, and urban landscapes.
    • Encouraging innovation and experimentation with learning modalities through public-private partnerships and government facilitation.
    • Sharing alumni experiences to highlight the impact of PCQs on career trajectories.

Implementation Framework

  1. Pilot Program Design:

    Conducted a bootcamp to assess learning barriers and test policy incentives for professional certifications.

  2. Awareness Campaigns:

    Proposed the development of a targeted communication strategies to increase public awareness of lifelong learning opportunities.

  3. E-Portfolio System:

    Emphasized the design of a national platform linked to Emirates IDs to track lifelong learning achievements and foster motivation through gamification.

  4. Stakeholder Engagement:

    Advised on the collaborated with government entities, universities, and industry leaders to align efforts and resources.

Results

The project delivered impactful outcomes at multiple levels:

  1. Policy Impact:
    • Framework Development

      Created a comprehensive national policy framework addressing lifelong learning barriers.

    • Policy Recommendations

      Developed actionable strategies that integrate lifelong learning into the country’s social and economic fabric.

  2. Pilot Outcomes:
    • Participant Feedback

      Identified key barriers such as timing, work commitments, and financial constraints through pre- and post-bootcamp analyses.

    • Scalability Insights

      Highlighted the need to expand initiatives beyond certifications to include less demanding learning opportunities.

  3. Cultural Transformation:
    • Introduced a model to continuously reinforce learner identity and motivation.

    • Encouraged a shift from rigid educational structures to a more fluid, inclusive approach to lifelong learning.

  4. Cost Efficiency:
    • Cost Savings

      Recommended operational efficiencies that could save up to 80% of national Lifelong Learning programs cost, primarily through structured negotiations and resource optimization.

    • Scalable Solutions

      Designed sustainable models for embedding lifelong learning into existing systems of universities and employers without substantial additional costs.

Conclusion

This case study highlights the transformative potential of integrating lifelong learning into national policy frameworks. By addressing various barriers, government can set a global example of anticipatory governance and cultural transformation. Our collaboration with this government entity resulted in a visionary policy framework that has the potential to empower individuals, supports economic development, and aligns seamlessly with the national priorities.