Management of adult continuing education: Сurrent state and prospects

Abstract

Aim. The presented study aims to determine the role of management in the system of adult continuing education and major strategic directions for its development and improvement, paying special attention to continuing professional education. Tasks. The authors analyze Russian and foreign scientific publications on the problem under consideration; investigate management practices in the system of adult continuing education in a particular educational organization, paying special attention to the system of continuing professional education; substantiate the key role of management in an educational organization, including staff competencies, management technologies, focus on building a quality management system (QMS) aimed at improving the efficiency of the adult continuing education system; determine key trends in the development of the adult continuing education system from a strategic perspective. Methods. This study uses general scientific methods of cognition in various aspects to investigate the system of adult continuing education and to identify trends in its current state and development as well as major areas for improvement. Results. The results of the study make it obvious that IT infrastructure, staff development, and management are the most significant factors for the introduction of digital media in adult continuing education organizations. Digital and mobile technologies are important resources supporting individual training of specialists in various areas of expertise. In addition to that, various population groups require flexible educational routes in the context of changing social development factors and emerging challenges and threats, further professional development of staff in adult and continuing education, training programs focusing on the needs of students with allowance for the regional labor market, and state support for professional training and continuing professional education for the most vulnerable population groups. Conclusions. The conducted study makes it possible to identify key trends in the development of the adult continuing education system, which must be taken into consideration in order to improve management in this field.