Corporate Training in the Ecosystem of Adult Education: Employee Practices

The article reveals contemporary practices of corporate training in the context of the development of an adult education ecosystem and a novel paradigm of professionalism. The study’s empirical findings are based on a questionnaire survey administered to a sample of 1,204 workers. The results have shown the extent of employee engagement in corporate training programs, their motivation, as well as the prevalent obstacles. The findings have indicated a correlation between the level and intensity of employee engagement and company size. The findings have indicated that employees in companies with 500 employees aged 35 to 44, who can be termed “new professionals,” demonstrate the highest levels of engagement in training and investment in their professional and personal development. The effectiveness of corporate training has been assessed from the perspective of employees and companies alike. A significant proportion of employees has expressed positive attitude towards the benefits of the completed programs, particularly in terms of enhancing work quality and career prospects. The authors have identified the social functions of corporate training, new connections, and opportunities for building local adult learning ecosystems. The results are of scientific and practical interest to the specialists in education management, human resources, and educational policy for overcoming the qualification gap and the development of a national system of lifelong learning.