Just because you’ve graduated, doesn’t mean you should stop learning. Every single day, there are new things to learn and new skills to try. It’s back-to-school season, and that includes you! Achieving success doesn’t mean that you stop learning. Famous entrepreneurs, like Warren Buffet and Reese Witherspoon, spend most of their free time learning, usually by reading a good book or two. By constantly learning, you are opening yourself to new experiences and abilities.
As an employee, you should be valuing professional development opportunities in your workplace. Through professional development, you are investing in yourself. Learning new skills can make your job simpler and can be very rewarding. Challenging yourself to try something new can refresh your working mindset and allow you to grow.
As an employer, professional development opportunities are a surefire way to increase employee satisfaction and retention. According to Forbes, “If you don’t offer learning and growth opportunities, your employees will take their professional development into their own hands by seeking employers who do.” Professional development is also crucial for employers to participate in. If you want to be a great leader, you should be a great learner.
What is professional development?
Professional development can be described as any learning opportunity connected to one's professional goals. Professional development focuses on gaining new knowledge or skills in order to do your job more effectively.
Promoting professional development through the workplace creates an environment where employees feel like their contributions, hard work, and successes are appreciated.
Three ways professional development helps your business:
Employee Retention:
According to Forbes, “86% of respondents said they would change jobs if it meant more opportunities for professional development.” Now more than ever, it is so important to retain good employees. Providing employees with opportunities to grow their skillset keeps them engaged and satisfied. If an employee sees that their employer invests in them and listens to their needs, they will feel more valued in their position and be more likely to stay with them longterm.
Filling the Skills Gap:
Gone are the days of one-skill jobs. Most jobs today require a vast amount of abilities in different skill sets. Take Journalists for example. In the past, Journalists wrote and edited stories on current events. Now, journalists research, write, photograph, film, edit, and promote their own stories using social media; meaning there is a huge need for them to be constantly learning new skills. When looking for ways to fill the skill gap, focus on opportunities that are beneficial to both the employer and employee.
Keeping Skills up to Date:
In the information age, every day brings us new insights. It can be difficult to keep up with the latest trends and best practices, and falling behind is not a viable option. Learning and Development programs can teach employees new skills to keep up with the new ways of working. By empowering employees to learn new information, they will be likely to share this knowledge in their position, allowing the organization to learn and grow together.
Through Botree’s customized training programs, we can help you develop your skills and your team members based on your needs. Using our curated library of innovative technology, Botree creates a dynamic and engaging experience for all participants. The wide array of diverse industry experience represented within our team provides a holistic approach unlike any other training experience on the market. Learn more about our unique Customized Training service here.
References
Fleischman, E. (2019, May 9). Council post: Why employers need to invest in professional development in 2019. Forbes. https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbeshumanresourcescouncil/2019/05/09/why-employers-need-to-invest-in-professional-development-in-2019/?sh=17b6b0646d12.