Are you an employer concerned with bringing on a new staff member? Do you want to ensure that they have continuing opportunities to learn?
Complacency often occurs once an employee becomes comfortable in the position which may lack ongoing challenges. You might think the employee, now acclimated to their role, no longer requires further training or learning.
Learning is an ongoing process and investment in employee growth ideally is continuous, rather than a singular event
One consideration might be how many days of professional development you want to offer staff.
Formal learning encompasses activities such as training, conference attendance, classes, and certification courses.
Dedicated learning time is equally indispensable for cultivating a robust pipeline of prospective staff who embody interpersonal skills such as communication, problem-solving, negotiation, and critical thinking.
You may not want to limit training to a select few; rather, offer it to anyone interested in growth. This empowers employees to plan their career paths. Formal learning also serves the immediate needs of your company by enhancing existing skills, certifications, and qualifications.
Research identifies several practices fostering formal learning and development.
- Executive Championing: Employees receive support and resources from company leaders.
- Internal Expertise: Capitalize learning with peers who are already familiar with the culture, objectives, and priorities.
- Technological Utilization: Provide online learning opportunities for working at their own pace.
- Alignment with Strategy: Learning and performance development plans should harmonize with company goals.
- Diverse Approach: A blend of formal and informal learning opportunities is more effective than one method. For instance, offering in-person, online classes, or hands-on learning experiences.
Retention through Learning: While pay is important to employees, research consistently demonstrates staff value learning opportunities.
The pursuit of professional development is among the primary reasons for a job change. Learning opportunities heighten satisfaction and employees are more inclined to remain in their current position when they can continue expanding their skills. To retain staff long term, consider implementing professional development within the company, which will enhance their learning and impact your company’s success.
How Many Learning Days Should You Offer Employees? Metric of the Month | CFO
