Assessment of Lifelong Learning Needs of Financial System Employees in Wuhan City, Hubei Province

Abstract

The objectives of this research were (1) clarify the overall characteristics and structural hierarchy of lifelong learning needs among financial system practitioners in Wuhan; (2) identify patterns of differences in lifelong learning needs across different groups; (3) reveal core driving factors of lifelong learning needs and supply-demand mismatch issues; (4) propose optimization strategies for a lifelong learning system tailored to Wuhan's regional financial development. This study employed a mixed-method research approach combining questionnaire surveys and in-depth interviews, with employees from six financial institutions in Wuhan City as the research subjects. A total of 376 valid questionnaires were collected, and data analysis was conducted using computer software. The study reveals four key findings: (1) Professionals exhibit dual core characteristics in lifelong learning needs, focusing on "fintech integration and regulatory compliance," with a strong preference for online modular courses; (2) Learning demands show significant variations across institutions, age groups, and job roles—banks prioritize compliance, financing firms emphasize technology and skills, young professionals value digital learning, while seasoned professionals rely on mentorship guidance; (3) Five dimensions—compliance, task requirements, organizational structures, individual needs, and regional policies—collectively drive learning demands, with compliance being the most influential factor; (4) Current learning offerings suffer from three major gaps in content, format, and resources, while regional policy implementation faces prominent "last-mile" challenges. Based on these findings, the study proposes targeted optimization recommendations at three levels— government, institutions, and practitioners—through stratified categorization and policy implementation, providing empirical support for talent development in Wuhan's efforts to establish itself as a national financial hub.