Pursuing Continuing Education to Promote Employability: Importance of Perceived Support and Growth Mindset

Higher and continuous education help to promote employability in working adults. However, not every working adult has the intention to pursue continuing education courses to stay employable. Growth mindset and perceived support may promote this intention. This study therefore examines the relationships among growth mindset, perceived job and family support, perceived institutional support, and the intention to pursue continuing education courses among working adults. One hundred and sixty six working adults aged between 21 and 70 participated in this study. Significant positive bivariate correlational results were found among growth mindset, perceived job and family support, perceived institutional support, and the intention to enrol in continuing education courses. There was also a significant positive relationship between growth mindset and number of hours the participants worked; and a significant negative relationship between growth mindset and age. Multiple regression results showed that growth mindset was a positive predictor of the intention to pursue continuing education courses, perceived job and family support, as well as perceived institutional support. Interactions among the predictor variables were not significant in the multiple regression analysis. Important implications for researchers, practitioners and policy-makers in continuing education are discussed.