Dive Brief:
- For most people, the term “back to school” brings to mind the end of summer or shopping for supplies. It’s also an excellent time for employers to evaluate their learning and development offerings, according to CLOmedia.com.
- A comprehensive workforce development program where employees understand opportunities within the organization creates an enthusiastic workforce who will stay and compete more effectively against the competition, writes Lynn Schroeder, vice president of client relations for CAEL, the Council for Adult and Experiential Learning.
- Two significant tools - interactive career maps and external career and development advising - may help develop and guide employees to new career opportunities within the organization, promoting retention and improving workforce readiness, Schroeder writes.
Dive Insight:
Schroeder writes that both of those tools can take the pressure off managers, providing a suite of direct resources for employees as they evaluate future career options within the organization. Employees will also have access to information about the education or training requirements that they will need in order to qualify for those positions, she added.
Investing in current employees boosts morale and engagement and can help protect organizations from the looming worker shortage, according to Schroeder. Strong internal development programs encourage job mobility and self-development, which can create a more productive workforce. This year, she asks employers to "envision a world where it’s always 'back-to-school' time for the workforce."
