Gone are the days when job-related learning took place prior to employment. Here is the time when lifelong learning carries the day. Some 54% of the workforce will need to upskill or reskill by year’s end, according to a recent report. Eighty-five percent of employees know they need to upskill and only 20% are confident they have the skills they will need for the future.
It’s easy for employers to say they support a learning culture. In practice, a workplace should provide an environment in which ongoing learning is supported and managed in a way that benefits both the employer and employees.
An Environment for Success
Employees expect to learn new skills and new approaches to their jobs to stay relevant and advance in their careers. Employers also expect this but do not always set up an environment that fosters success. Instead, antiquated, non-interactive forms of continuing education coupled with a lack of time specifically set aside to engage in learning activities make some employer-sponsored approaches non-starters.
Providing remote, on-demand, and interactive opportunities for employees can go a long way toward increasing successful learning and engagement. Employees in modern workplaces tend to engage in learning activities naturally in their personal and professional lives. In addition to providing multiple modern options for connection, companies might consider setting aside time in employees’ work lives for learning and professional growth. The average employer allows less than 1% of an employee’s time to be used for learning.
Mutual Benefits
While upskilling, reskilling, and other forms of ongoing professional development are beneficial for employees, they also provide measurable results for employers. Companies that invest in developing their employees increase profitability by 11%. Mutual benefits also accrue, including developing a workforce of innovators who continually learn and practice problem-solving skills.
Further, young adults view learning as a route to career advancement and are attracted to companies that offer such paths. Employers repeatedly gain upskilled employees, and, in turn, employees reap the benefits of learning marketable skills and finding routes to advancement.
Learning Programs Must Reflect Modern Work Culture
In the past, uniform learning materials and programs were the rule. Now, in addition to easy access to information from various sources, the learning process can be further personalized.
Videos, interactive materials and other formats can allow employees to learn in ways that are comfortable for them and work at their pace and schedule rather than in a traditional one-size-fits-all training program.
In addition to up-to-date content delivered in a flexible way, it has become necessary for employers to integrate messages promoting learning opportunities as part of their routine communications with employees, reminding them to take advantage of relevant events and materials.
Keep Up With Learning Trends
Lifelong learning extends beyond the workplace. It is a part of life outside of work and at the office.
Employers that keep pace with program trends and developments will benefit by attracting and retaining employees whose value increases as they learn skills that increase productivity and job satisfaction.
