Many workers highly value employee development programs. Consider the following:
An employee development program should focus on the training, development, and upskilling of an organization’s workforce. The type of training depends on the industry, but it usually involves technical, soft skills, leadership, or customer service training.
In the following, we explore five benefits for employers of an effective employee development program.
Improve Production
A development program provides employees with the knowledge and skills to be effective in their jobs. Trained employees can better solve problems, perform tasks, and achieve goals. Just as an athlete performs better with practice, an employee who has been trained in their job will be more productive. Additionally, trained employees are more confident in their roles and are more motivated to take on challenges, according to Forbes.
Elevate Engagement
Employees are more engaged in their work when they have development opportunities. When an organization invests time and resources into the development of its employees, it shows a commitment to their growth and success. In fact, Gallup found that development is a top driver of employee engagement.
Increase Retention
Employees with development opportunities and higher engagement are more likely to stay with their employers. Employees want to feel like they are making a difference and that their contributions have a purpose. A development program enables difference-making and contribution.
Attract Skilled Candidates
Another benefit of a development program is attracting skilled candidates. An organization with a reputation for development can attract job candidates. Companies with a development program will have an advantage over those that don’t. Nearly nine out of 10 job seekers want to see a skills development program, clear career paths, and career advancement opportunities when they’re considering a job, according to Workplace Intelligence.
Address Skills Gaps
An immediate benefit of a development program is that it addresses a skills gap. While many development opportunities are future-focused, training can help bridge a current skills gap. Whether it’s because of turnover, promotions, or new job opportunities, organizations are constantly replacing workers. Upskilling current employees not only fills a need, but it is typically less expensive, faster, and more effective to train internally than trying to recruit new hires.
In today’s competitive environment for talent, having a differentiator such as a development program should be foundational to any organization. At Employers Council, we offer training courses to help upskill your employees. Visit our training catalog to explore classes that meet your organization's needs. Members can also access our Employee Development and Training Plans whitepaper to learn more. If you have any questions or need assistance, please email us at info@employerscouncil.org.
Mark Castillo is a human resources consultant for Employers Council.