You’re never too late to learn — and your boss likely agrees: While the attention of the state and private sector education players is often firmly set on primary, secondary, and higher education, adult education is increasingly becoming recognized for its important role in keeping businesses up to date with a changing marketplace and as an investment prospect in its own right. The incoming second machine age — to quote Andrew McAfee and Erik Brynjolfsson — is changing what we work on and the way we work on it at breakneck speed, increasing pressure on employees and job seekers alike to upskill to stay relevant.

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We spoke to AUC School of Continuing Education Dean Mahmoud Allam and G-Tec Education Egypt CEO Qaed Ebrahim to find out more — two very different institutions with different target audiences, business models, and courses. While the American University in Cairo’s School of Continuing Education — or SCE — is a 101-year-old institution, the Indian global skills and training center network entered Egypt in late 2024.

There’s broad agreement that adult education fills an important gap, as “traditional education models in Egypt have long focused on early-stage education, and there’s been a historical shortfall in opportunities for adults to upskill or retrain in line with new market realities,” Ebrahim told EnterpriseAM. Allam similarly told us of “a gap in high-quality, flexible, and industry-relevant training” that the SCE wants to fill and added that those in underserved areas in particular “lack access to structured lifelong learning opportunities.”

As technology advances, the gap is only set to grow, and Egyptians are looking towards adult education as a way to “navigate an ever-evolving job market.” Allam told us. The same trend is noticeable at G-Tec, with Ebrahim also observing that “professionals are increasingly seeking training that is practical, flexible, and aligned with current demands.” As a sign of G-Tec’s assessment of the “growing demand for skills relevant to a digital economy,” the company is planning to open at least 25 new centers in its first full year in the country.

And the gap in adult education is a global issue, with rising demand pushing G-Tec to open up over 790 centers across 23 countries — including all members of the GCC — Ebrahim said.

But adult education doesn’t only cater to those battling in the job market or for a promotion, with Allam telling us that the SCE “serves a diverse group of learners ranging from 8 to 80 years old,” including those looking for “non-professional lifelong learning offerings.” Outside of those looking to upskill and reskill, G-Tec also sees financial literacy as an important part of its offerings.

The kind of in-demand courses reflect trends in the job market and inside companies, with Ebrahim telling us that they are seeing demand for data analytics, AI, cybersecurity, software development, e-commerce, and others. Allam likewise pointed to digital literacy, artificial intelligence, business management, and data analytics as sought-after subjects.

But it’s not just tech driving demand, as companies in Egypt and throughout the Middle East are increasingly seeking professionals who not only have technical knowledge but also possess soft skills such as critical thinking, adaptability, and effective communication, Ebrahim added. Soft skills, leadership, and communication are also popular at SCE as they are “crucial for career advancement and ensure our learners stay competitive in the market,” Allam added. Languages — in particular English — also still drive much of the career-conscious market for adult education, Allam told us.

What the students want and what the market needs are in broad alignment, demands which the SCE tries to meet by conducting “regular needs assessment surveys across various industries, engaging employers, professionals, and stakeholders to identify emerging skill gaps and in-demand competencies.” Allam explained that these assessments “enable us to refine our curriculum, introduce new courses, and enhance existing programs to equip learners with the practical knowledge and market-ready skills needed for career advancement.” G-Tec likewise works with industry partners to make sure their “courses are in sync with the specific demands of employers.”

But what the job market is looking for and what courses institutions like SCE and G-Tec offer will continue to change, with Allam highlighting data analysis, AI literacy, cybersecurity, and digital marketing as being increasingly important. Ebrahim pointed to the exact same subjects and added that adaptability and creative innovation will become increasingly important to help individuals “pivot quickly as industries evolve”.

Adult education is not just a benefit to those taking the courses but supports the whole economy, both of our sources told us. “By upskilling employees and entrepreneurs, we contribute to the creation of a more competitive and dynamic labor market,” Allam explained. Ebrahim described how adult education also “attracts investment, creates jobs, and spurs broader economic development.”

Despite its importance, adult education “does not always receive the same level of funding and attention as traditional education sectors,” Allam told us. While investment and worthwhile initiatives do exist, there is a need for “greater investment and policy support,” he added. These programs can also sometimes be “limited by scale or speed in adapting to industry changes,” Ebrahim said. The most recent state initiative saw the Social Solidarity Ministry and the Manpower Ministry sign a cooperation protocol with charity organization Sona3 El Kheir to train 1 mn citizens over the next three years in handicrafts, tailoring, electrical work, plumbing, IT maintenance, and languages, according to a statement.

Looking ahead, “we would like to see more collaboration between the private sector, government, and educational institutions,” the head of the SCE told us. Doing so could better help “integrate lifelong learning into national development strategies,” he added. Incentives for companies to put their money into the professional development of their employees and stronger public-private partnerships also have a role to play.

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