As we gather education, training, and experience we grow our knowledge, skills and abilities which results in expanded capabilities and increased capacity.
This thought came to mind early this week and I think it is worth unpacking it a bit further.
Education is a structured process of gaining knowledge, general skills (writing, math, speaking ect), and critical thinking abilities. The focus of education is broad and is where we establish foundation knowledge in concepts, theories and principles. Education is typically accomplished through formal instructor or teacher lead engagements. Completion of education is symbolised by the awarding of a degree or certification that reflects personal growth and development. Education is typically chunked into specific time frames, pre-school, grade school, highschool, college, and graduate college and of course can persist through an entire lifespan.
Training is the development of specific skills, crafts, and competencies generally trade or job specific. These are often conceptualized as hands-on skills that have application in the real world. Training occurs in guided practice with coaches and mentors, in workshop settings, in drills, or through simulations. Training provides proficiency and skill in the performance of specific tasks. It is likely a short term endeavor for simple skills and increases in length with the complexity of the task.
Experience is learning that occurs through participating in real-world interactions and situations. This happens when our education and skills are tested by contact with the real-world. Gaining experience can come from on the job training, trial and error, and interactions followed by personal reflection. These interactions culminate in earned wisdom, flexibility and refined problem-solving skills. Experience is gained throughout the life span as long as we continue to interact with the world around us.
Together, education, training, and experience provide the foundation for the acquisition and development of knowledge, skills, and abilities.
In their simplest forms knowledge is what we know, skills are what we can do, and abilities are the potential we have for applying our knowledge and skills in the world.
Ultimately what we can see is the path we can take to develop new capabilities and increase our capacity to employ those capabilities in our efforts to live the life we want to live.
