Mobilizing education in the workplace: A typology of corporate strategies through a lifelong education lens

As workplaces evolve in response to technological change and shifting labour demands, corporations are increasingly called upon to rethink how they support employee development. While corporate education has traditionally focused on formal, task-specific training aimed at addressing immediate skill gaps, the integration of lifelong education principles – emphasizing continuous and inclusive development – remains underexplored. This paper addresses this gap by presenting a typology of corporate educational strategies for mobilizing education in the workplace, structured along two dimensions: individualized versus collective learning and within versus across organizational boundaries. This typology illustrates how corporations mobilize resources to balance internal development needs with external partnerships, bridging personalized skill-building and collective knowledge-sharing. Key approaches include personalized learning plans, team-based collaboration, and cross-sector partnerships with educational institutions. By framing corporate initiatives through a lifelong education lens, the paper shows how organizations can move beyond isolated training programs to build dynamic education ecosystems that promote adaptability, innovation, and equity. The analysis also identifies critical challenges in resource mobilization, such as financial constraints, inequitable access to educational opportunities, and the alignment of education strategies with organizational goals. Ultimately, this study provides a clear and actionable framework for corporations aiming to enhance workforce development in ways that reflect lifelong education principles.