Professional Development for Employees

 

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Professional development is training that helps employees improve their current job performance and prepare them for future career paths. This process drives forward and determined opportunities to learn something new, brush up on one's abilities, and see changes in one's field.

Professional development also means keeping up with new developments in your field and incorporating them into your existing knowledge base. Many industries require professionals to engage in ongoing training and education as a condition of maintaining employment or maintaining designations, licenses, or certifications. These cases often have continuing education guidelines that professionals must meet through an accredited continuing professional education provider. A desire for professional growth and learning can motivate many professionals, even if it is not mandated.

Professional development is more than just getting a certification. This concept influences an employee's ability to perform well in the workplace and career prospects through continuous improvement in skills and competencies. Professional development should be relevant, collaborative, identifiable, measurable, and personal to the job. You may be undertaking professional development without realizing it, or you may have a deliberate strategy for growth. (He, G. 2022)

The Importance of Professional Development

Professional development is important for employees who want to be better. This step gives employees additional options to advance their profession, such as promotions and lateral transfers. Following professional development, the employee's knowledge and competence in the field may make the employee a more attractive candidate. Professional development enhances employee skills and knowledge and gains employee recognition. However, the practice also benefits employers and organizations by producing highly skilled and knowledgeable workers. According to Havard Business Review, 95% of employees will remain with the company investing in employee career development.

All workers must keep up with the latest trends in the industry and strive for optimal performance. Markets, employees, and consumers are constantly changing. Professional development programs are therefore becoming more important as the global business environment changes.

Professional development training ensures that academic and practical qualifications never become obsolete. Individuals of all ages, occupations, and levels of education may consistently switch or upgrade their skills, regardless of their educational background. According to Pew Research, 47% of employees say their company's professional development programs have helped them advance their careers.

In the long run, planning and executing a professional growth plan will benefit both you personally and your career. The ever-changing dynamics of the market require employees to update their knowledge base on a regular basis. (He, G. 2022)

 

Source: https://www.researchgate.net/figure/Professional-Development-Framework_fig1_336792302

Benefits of professional development

1. Increased self-confidence

Professional growth may help you feel more confident in your abilities as an employee. As you grow in knowledge by expanding your skill set and acquiring new skills, you may become more confident and more familiar with your role. In other words, long-term employees are learning more than when they first joined. This skill upgrade gives individuals confidence in their ability to perform their duties in the workplace. Additionally, confident employees are more likely to take advantage of opportunities, make informed decisions, and demonstrate leadership qualities.

2. Improving the employment rate

Developing skills, knowledge, and competencies through professional development programs increases employability. Employers may see you as a more attractive candidate if you have improved your skill set through professional development. Employers are more likely to hire you if they see you as a qualified applicant.

3. Skill development

According to SHRM's Skills Gap Survey, 75% of HR professionals say candidates applying for a position lack skills. Professional development helps employees improve their hard-her skills and soft-her skills in the workplace. Soft skills include workplace habits such as effective communication. Soft skills are job-specific knowledge acquired through formal schooling and training. Developing your talent can help you become an expert in your field, share your expertise with new staff, and reveal prospects for career advancement.

4. A Larger Pool of Job Options is Available

If you want a raise or promotion in your current position, you should focus on your professional development. If your boss sees that you are working hard to improve yourself, you may be more likely to move up the corporate ladder. I know how to develop my skills in the field and that you are a self-taught individual. Employers can see your progress and promote you, thus opening up more employment opportunities.

5. Other online options

Attending professional development activities such as seminars, webinars, conferences, workshops, volunteer events, and classes gives you the opportunity to network with other professionals.

Industry professionals often attend these events and are a great place to meet industry professionals and influencers. Network with colleagues, mentors, and potential employers to advance your career. A mentor or colleague can offer advice on your career path, and a hiring manager may be able to point you in the right direction.

6. Tutoring Opportunities

Finding respectable mentors and role models can help you advance your career. With the help of mentors, you can reach your goals. Mentors can help you learn new things or offer suggestions to improve your situation. If you can identify mentors and role models in your field who have positions and characteristics that you can do, you can see their work and how they have achieved success. We can also provide information about other career options that may be of interest to you.

Professional Development Checklist

• Communication skills
• Workplace dispute management and resolution
• Performance evaluation
• Ideas for time management
• Tutorial program
• Flexibility
• Creativity
• Speak in public
• Improved customer service
• Set a goal
• Bullying prevention and education
• Diversity and inclusion
• Leadership
• Industry knowledge
• Group work
• Hard skills and soft skills
• Talent management
• Onboarding

Conclusion

Professional skills are often interrelated, and practicing one will definitely improve others. Even if your main goal is to improve your general skills, improving your skills can improve your career.

If you want to be successful in your career, you have to love what you do. Without this commitment, it is difficult to motivate others to do better work. Therefore, it is imperative that you find joy in learning new things and improving your work skills. You will be able to recognize your strengths and weaknesses more easily. Implementing a professional development program will help you and your employees grow, learn, and become better people.

For more information, check out our training and development books and career books.

We also have a list of the best corporate workshop ideas for employees.

Reference

He, G. (2022) Professional Development: importance & best practices (online). Available at       < https://www.teambuilding.com/blog/professional-development-best-practices# >. [Accessed on 13^th April 2023]

 

He, G. (2022) professional Development ideas, topics & activities (online). Available at               < https://www.teambuilding.com/blog/professional-development-ideas >. [Accessed on 13^th April 2023]