Having engaged and loyal employees is very important to a company’s success. High turnover can affect a company’s profitability and cause it to lose talent. One way to retain and motivate employees is by regularly promoting professional development. This allows them to develop their skills and improve their performance. Here are some ways you can encourage professional development for your team.
Lead by Example
Role models are important in the workplace. Leaders and supervisors can also play a vital role in developing the company’s professional development programs by actively participating in them. They can also encourage their employees to join professional associations and organizations.
Discuss Personal Goals
Before you start planning a professional development program, it’s important that you first talk to your employees about their goals and the various opportunities that they would like to participate in. This will allow you to design a program that’s most appropriate for them.
Offer Cross-Training Opportunities
One of the most effective ways to encourage professional development is through on-the-job training. This method involves allowing employees to develop their skills while working in different roles. Cross-training is also beneficial for a company as it allows employees to perform various tasks and shows them that they’re valued.
Incentivize Development
One of the most effective ways to encourage professional development is by offering incentives to employees who participate in it. This method can help overcome the issue of overwork that can prevent people from participating in the program. Small gifts or offering paid training sessions are just a couple of examples.
Provide Resources
You can provide your employees with a variety of resources such as online video tutorials, training materials, and seminars. You can also host on-site workshops or seminars or help them access other resources by coordinating with other staff members.
Schedule Time for Development
Before you start planning a professional development program, it’s important that you establish a schedule that’s specific to each employee’s schedule. This will allow you to make sure that everyone is available for training. Having a rotating schedule will also help keep track of who gets to attend conferences and other high-profile events.