Why You Should Encourage Employee Growth

Employers must invest in the growth and development of its employees, the true assets of any organization. To create a motivated workforce that is loyal to the organization, employees need to feel respected and appreciated. They work hard to achieve the organization's goals and objectives, and their hard work should be acknowledged by management.

Employees who give their all to the organization also expect something in return. Money is one motivating factor, but it's even better to prepare employees not only for their current job but also for future assignments. Employees need to grow over time, and they can't rely on the same skills and techniques forever. Employees need to enhance their skills and knowledge in order to perform better. Technology also becomes obsolete with time, so individuals need to stay up to date with the latest developments to survive in a competitive environment. It can help employees when they face adverse conditions and unforeseen situations.

Employee development creates a learning culture in the organization where every employee is motivated to learn new skills and acquire new learnings. You really need to give their careers an extra push. Motivate them to inculcate the habit of reading. Encourage them to register for various online or distance learning courses which will help them enhance their skills along with their jobs.

Employees enjoy acquiring new skills and knowledge while on the job. They feel proud when they know that their organization is investing time and resources to train them. Employee development is therefore essential for extracting the best from employees.

Training vs Professional Development

There are several differences between training and professional development. While training is aimed at filling a gap in an employee's current skill set, professional development looks ahead to the future, with a view to fostering the long-term growth of both the worker and the company.

It's worth noting that professional development should ideally begin from day one of an employee's tenure at a company, as it is only with a clear career path and a vision for the future that the worker can be expected to contribute fully and effectively to the organization over the long-term. Unfortunately, professional development budgets have been shrinking in recent years, which means that many organizations struggle to provide their employees with the necessary growth opportunities.

While training is certainly an important component of employee development, it is not sufficient on its own. To ensure that employees are able to realize their full potential, companies need to start investing more in their talent. This means providing not only training opportunities, but also ongoing professional development opportunities that will help employees hone their skills in areas such as self-management, ethics, communication (both written and verbal), and leadership.

In short, it's clear that training and professional development are both critical components of employee growth and development. While training is focused on addressing current gaps, professional development is a more holistic approach that looks to the future and the long-term growth of both the worker and the organization. By investing in professional development and providing employees with the necessary growth opportunities, companies can create a powerhouse of talent that is proficient across the board in their main skill set as well as in other important areas.  Key takeaway: Training fills a gap, whereas professional development focuses on employee and company growth, and a comprehensive approach to both is essential for long-term success.