Are you in line with your employees’ goals and aspirations? Today’s workforce expects more guidance and feedback than ever before. As their employer, you should be looking at plans for employee career advancement.
A career development plan may take many different shapes, but the objective is always to encourage your workers to grow with the firm while also providing a forum for open discussion and future planning. Implementing a career development program at work is a great approach to show your employees that you care about their professional goals, job happiness, and livelihood while also fostering a good and supportive workplace culture.
Taking this step can be good for everyone. Learn why career development is important to both your employees and your business.
Benefits of Career Development for Employees
Although career development is primarily focused on employees, it benefits everyone involved, including you and your company. Here are some of the benefits you might expect.
Increased participation
Employees who believe their bosses care about their future are more engaged at work. This has a cascading impact that boosts productivity, enhances the working atmosphere, and even improves mental health.
Reduced employee turnover
If an employee believes they are making progress, they are more inclined to stay with their firm. Employee turnover is lower, which saves money and produces a better working environment.
Job seekers who are more qualified
When it comes to attracting great talent, employers face more competition than ever before. When looking for a job, 42% of employees feel growth possibilities are more essential than health care. Making it clear to candidates that you provide career development assistance will help you stand out as the ideal option for top-tier industry job seekers.
4 Steps to a Career Development Program for Employees
It may have been simple for you to climb your own corporate ladder but assisting a colleague in doing so seems harder. Fortunately, putting together a professional development program just requires a few open-ended stages. To put it another way, you and your employees may work together to build a strategy that meets your individual needs as a team.
Find out what their objectives are.
Begin by meeting with each of your staff one-on-one, if feasible. Hold a group gathering if your team is large, and invite employees to submit their replies on paper or via an online form..
Make a decision about what to do next.
How can you make it easy for your staff now that you know what they want to achieve? Allow them to take a day off to attend a conference or have shorter lunch breaks so they may leave early for a local class. It is not your responsibility to give education or growth for others. Just don’t get in the way of their getting it. Furthermore, holding monthly progress meetings is a wonderful way to provide your staff feedback and hold both the individual and the company accountable for their development.
Guide but don’t intervene.
Pretend you’re a playground parent. Is it best to stroll behind your child the entire time or to let them explore on their own? Even if they scratch their knee, they’ll be glad they went it alone. Employees should be treated in the same way. While you know you won’t be able to prevent them from making errors, it’s best to let them fall a few times as they grow.
Reward appropriately.
Some of your colleagues may surprise you with their ambition. Ascertain that their efforts are not in vain. Giving the odd incentive, whether it’s a simple congrats or a gift card for a good evening out, will help inspire not only the individual employee but the entire team.
Bottom Line
Career development programs aren’t mandatory, but if you do decide to participate in one, you’ll notice immediate effects. Consider implementing a career development program for employees to increase your chances of having a happy and successful workforce (as well as a stronger brand).
SW HR Consulting has been helping companies to build their teams and values for over 10 years. Contact us to find out more about our unique hr outsourcing services and see how our expertise can benefit you.
