Dive Brief:
- A new Robert Half Finance & Accounting study reports that while financial companies require employees to remain current on their skills, around half do not allow employees to participate in continuing education activities on the company clock.
- The study notes that 26% of CFOs say their companies allow some employees to fulfill continuing professional education required credits while on the clock, but that 24% of the time it depends on the individual employee having a track record of success.
- Robert Half's senior executive director Paul McDonald advises that with the advent of short, 10-minute learning options, employers shouldn't hesitate to allow employees to maintain their skills while at work.
Dive Insight:
The financial markets have undergone major changes in the past few years. According to a 2017 study conducted by PwC, some of those changes can be attributed to rapid technology advancements and regulatory constraints, increasing concerns over data security and consumer demand for better solutions. How can financial professionals maintain up-to-date skills and knowledge of such things when they face obstacles to workforce training?
Financial organizations need to look at the risk they are creating by denying access to training activities when employees are on the clock. Learning skills within the context of work is what helps them stick. At the very least, employees should be provided with regular training options so they can take care of education requirements to maintain their certifications and skills.
On-demand training that provides short and precise learning content to employees can help them stay compliant while shortening the time away from other work activities.
