International Journal of Applied Educational Studies

Dramatic changes in the economy, the nature of work, and work organizations have led to a redefinition of career and work. These changes result primarily from the ongoing revolution in science and technology that has spawned what many scholars have called the “knowledge-based economy.” In this new economy, knowledge is the primary resource and innovation is the key element driving competitive advantage. Workers in the new economy need a new set of skills to cope with a very protean work and economic environment—a set of skills that will empower them to manage their careers in an environment that is rife with change and complexity. These new skills are called actor competencies; they enable the worker to take control of his own career and learning in a dynamic environment where one learns to work and works to learn. In this paper, the authors review the history of the role of education in work, followed by a description of the current work environment and the need to educate workers to meet the challenges of the knowledge-based economy. The paper concludes with a discussion of specific recommendations for educating the knowledge worker.

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