In order to stay current — or, better yet, ahead of the curve — you need to be able to understand and respond to those changes.

Even if you have a PhD, your knowledge of current practices quickly becomes outdated unless you engage in career development and enrichment. Some careers even require you to undergo a certain number of hours of continuing education each year. Educators, nurses and other medical professionals, for example, are required to stay abreast of new techniques and research findings. But even if your employer does not mandate career training, staying up-to-date on industry trends and developments is the best way to make yourself marketable — regardless of the economy.

Many career development classes are now being offered online, which is an increasingly popular option for busy professionals. With distance learning, you have the flexibility to fit your class work into your schedule — rather than the other way around. To learn more about online career development, be sure to visit JobMonkey’s newest section on career training.

Online classes let you get the training your career demands at a pace you can handle. JobMonkey’s newest section on Career Training is the perfect place to start your quest. It offers dozens of different ideas for courses that you can take to advance your career.

From professional development courses to classes in foreign languages, writing, computers skills to instruction on how to start your own small business, the JobMonkey covers where, what and how to find online classes that will help you to advance yourself personally and professionally. Check it out and let us know what you think.

You might also enjoy this recent piece from the American Machinist, which profiles how blue-collar workers at a manufacturing plant are using online learning to advance their careers.