Lifelong learning or continuous education is becoming the way of life for much of today's workforce. In order to keep pace with the rapid technological changes and the fall out from these changes employees must be constantly learning new skills and keeping abreast of emerging trends in order to stay current in their present positions and to proactively manage their own careers. In recognizing these continuous learning needs, many businesses have established formal mechanisms for providing these learning opportunities for their employees.

The application of distance learning methodologies provide the capability of reaching many people scattered in locations around the world. Economies of scale can be realized when large numbers of people are being served through training and professional development programs. Many commercial ventures have been established to meet some of these needs through certificate programs and other options. These programs may or may not be reputable and offer quality products. Much depends on the education or training being offered and the purpose of that training.

Separate businesses and partnerships have been established to meet the needs of this growing lifelong learning marketplace. Many lifelong learning ventures are established simply for the sake of learning. There is a growing market for learning opportunities based on convenience, flexibility, non-threatening learning environments, and information products that meet the needs of those not interested in obtaining some form of credit. Current technological developments make these opportunities possible. The non-vocational market of retired adults is a large market segment for distance learning opportunities. Educational institutions are also expanding their continuing education programs and offering new programs to meet the needs of adult students. Current trends show that on-line education and other forms of distance education will play a major role in the lifelong learning educational markets that are emerging.

The following sites provide resources specific to lifelong learning initiatives and the role of distance education. Related business education partnerships and other relevant initiatives are included.

MRB Communications, Lifelong Learning
http://www.mrbcomm.com/lifelong.html#lrnonline
This is one of the more comprehensive sites that provides links to resources dedicated to the topic of lifelong learning. The information is well organized and easy to follow. Links provided through this site will not be duplicated elsewhere but rather this site is recommended as the most extensive in providing an overview of current resources available. It is the intent of the authors to provide a well-rounded picture of all resources available on the topic of Lifelong Learning.

Resource center for lifelong learning
http://www.geteducated.com/
This site is a resource center for lifelong learning with emphasis on distance learning and adult education. It is the project of a consulting firm, Lifelong Learning, located in Waterbury, Vermont. The owners, Vicky Phillips and Cindy Yager are co-authors of "Best Distance Learning Graduate Schools: Earning Your Degree Without Leaving Home." Lifelong Learning also publishes a monthly e-mail newsletter targeted for distance learning professionals working in universities and continuing education departments. The site provides a directory of on-line colleges and virtual universities.

Lifelong Learning on the Knowledge Highway Part I, Part II, Part III http://olt-bta.hrdc-drhc.gc.ca/info/online/part1.html
Information at this site is published by the Office of Learning Technologies and is in the form of written articles and lists of resources. The articles are in a three part series. Part I covers the overall view from the international perspective and discusses barriers to lifelong learning and new technologies and models for use in these learning environments. Part II looks at trends and best practice in the field. Part III focuses on the new paradigm from the Canadian perspective and identifies lifelong learning goals for Canada. A list of related resources including books, monographs, bibliographies, new updates, projects, videos, and fact sheets are included.

What the Public Wants from Higher Education http://www.pbs.org/learn/als/publication/agenda/96spring/research.htm
This site provides the summary results of research done by a team of researchers from four leading universities in the United States that addresses the issue of lifelong learning and the reaction of the general public to the need and their interests. The results show that lifelong learning has become a reality for most Americans and that public support exists. Distance education is supported as the key to providing lifelong learning opportunities.

Lucent Technologies: Center for Excellence in Distance Learning (CEDL) http://www.lucent.com/cedl/index.html
This site produced by Lucent Technologies is an excellent example of using distance learning technologies to support lifelong learning in the workplace. Lucent Technologies provides creative technology solutions that bring individuals together from many locations to participate in shared learning experiences. CEDL works closely with universities and their faculty recognized as leaders in the filed of distance education. There is a wealth of information resources available through this site.

IBM Higher Education
http://www.hied.ibm.com/
This is the IBM Higher Education Home Page. It describes many of the initiatives being launched by IBM in collaboration with educational partners to meet the changing learning needs of the future. IBM's Global Campus Home Page, an information network for faculty, students, and the general public, can be accessed from this page. Technology solutions, distance learning initiatives, and other related information sources are provided on an international scale.

AT&T Learning Network
http://www.att.com/learningnetwork/
This is the AT&T Learning Network Site which represents a commitment to support teaching initiatives through the use of technology. The focus is community-oriented and geared for all educational levels. The goal is to make lifelong learning possible anytime, anyplace.

Pacific Bell
http://www.kn.pacbell.com/wired/
This site describes the Pacific Bell Education First Initiative. Pacific Bell, in conjunction with San Diego State University, is providing educational applications for K-12 and community colleges. These applications feature Telecomputing and Interactive TeleLearning technologies. Videoconferencing is highlighted as a means for distance learning. Although the focus is not on lifelong learning, the technology applications are relevant and applicable for lifelong learning initiatives at the community college level.

The IDL Group, Inc.
http://idl.ncms.org/
This is the Home Page of the Interactive Distance Learning (IDC) Group. The mission is to reduce cost and course development time while increasing the quality and availability of courses provided by IDL. Several companies have partnered in this venture to pool training and educational material to meet certain standards established by the IDL Group.

EDUCOM's National Learning Infrastructure Initiative
http://educom.edu/program/nlii/nliiHome.html
This site is the Home Page for Educom's National Learning Infrastructure Initiative (NLII). The NLII identifies its six mission-critical issues which all center around the applications of information technology to support new learning environments. By joining NLII, corporations, organizations, and institutions commit to work through collaboration to address these issues. Although this site does not focus on lifelong learning per se, the infrastructure and foundation principles can easily be applied in this arena.