Professional development is the ongoing process of improving an individual’s knowledge and skills, to perform better in their existing role or to achieve the skills needed in a new role to perform at a high level.
Vice president of learning and development Steve Hawter, “controls an employee’s” readiness for contributing to a company in new ways, even though the company adopts a new strategy or expands.
Employees must be supported and encouraged to seek refresher courses and accept new challenges, to keep up with the rapid pace of change in the business world. It doesn’t have to be formal classroom instruction, but it can be job training for a new skill or role. Professional development will take place, as long as employees are engaged in continual learning and evolution.
When working to implement a culture of ongoing growth in your workplace, it is important not to confuse training and professional development. Training is specific and related to an employee’s present role, whereas professional development, in any given situation, is more holistic and helps to support an employee’s ability to adjust at work.
Hawter said that development looks to the future and growth of the employee and company whereas training fills in the gap.
To new hires, most companies provide training, after all, it’s important to help them perform their role effectively. From the start, employers should prioritize training, since it’s based on the needs of the organizations.
As team members, to reach a common goal, employees can work individually or as a group. To achieve success for the entire business, the personal growth of each employee matters the most.
To attend professional development programs, many employers think it’s unnecessary, but there are many advantages where these programs benefit not only the business but also the employees.
Professional development is a win-win for both employees and employers. Employers get more engaged team members, to develop new skills which will benefit the company. While employees acquire knowledge and abilities which will help them to take charge of their own careers and to achieve their goals.
It all begins with encouraging employees to participate and crafting an effective professional development program.
