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In the modern era of rapid technological development, humanity is faced with an unprecedented flow of information. The rapidly changing demands on the labor market prove that it is no longer enough to limit oneself to an academic degree. That is why the concept of "lifelong learning" comes to the fore, the main driving force of which is the system of non-formal education.

Traditional (formal) education plays an important role in the formation of fundamental knowledge and academic consistency. However, the scale of training programs and approved standards do not allow him to instantly adapt to the rapid changes in the labor market. Non-formal education is a flexible ecosystem aimed at the rapid development of a specific competence or skill through short-term courses, trainings, workshops and seminars. It opens the way for a person to quickly change their professional vector and continuously develop modern professional and flexible skills.

The strategic advantages of informal learning are, firstly, time savings. Instead of years of training, a specialist learns the necessary specific tools in a few weeks or months and immediately begins to apply them in practice. Secondly, the practical orientation. Here, priority is given not to dry theory, but to real-life cases, project work, and the direct experience of experts. Thirdly, personal orientation. Each student independently builds their own learning trajectory, depending on cognitive abilities, work schedule and interests.

Today, the world's leading universities are not limited to awarding academic degrees, but are becoming centers of non-formal education. In this regard, the flagship of the national higher education, Al–Farabi Kazakh National University, keeping up with the times, demonstrates leadership in the development of human capital. KazNU Institute of Advanced Training and Additional Education is the main platform that systematically implements non-formal education. As one of the concrete steps in this direction, in March of this year, the institute successfully completed a special course on effective methods of non-formal education and rapid acquisition of new skills.

The courses organized on the basis of the institute are directly aimed at improving the digital literacy of teachers, researchers and specialists in various fields, the use of artificial intelligence in their work and the development of new technologies. All these programs are developed based on the real demands of the labor market and international standards, serving to increase the competitiveness of specialists.

In general, non–formal education is not just a trend, but a strategic necessity that protects against professional stagnation and guarantees career growth. In the age of innovation, only a specialist who is constantly on the lookout and knows how to quickly learn new skills will be in demand and meet the demands of the times.

Press-service of 91��ý Kazakh National University