As your employees grow with you and your organization, they will likely have new interests and goals. To help them succeed, you need to understand their ambitions and find ways to give them the training and experience they need. Doing so will not only help them achieve their personal objectives, but also make them more valuable team members. In addition to a robust benefits package that includes health insurance, retirement savings, vacation time, and other employee perks, many businesses are developing programs aimed at helping employees further their careers. It’s an important step for any company committed to employee growth. If you want to inspire your team members and retain them long-term, check out these tips on how to support employee career development with 5 easy steps that can get you started today!
Talk to your employees about their career goals
Ask your employees about their career goals, and let them know you are open to discussing their ambitions. You might discover your team members want more responsibility, more hours, or a salary increase. Whatever their goals may be, know what they are before you try to help them achieve them. You might find that an employee wants to apply for a promotion, switch to a new field, or attend school for a specialized degree. Whatever their goals may be, help them achieve them. If you want to further your career, it’s important to be honest with your manager and coworkers. They may point you in the right direction or help you identify the path that’s right for you.
Create a mentorship program for your employees
A mentorship program can benefit both younger and more experienced employees. You can pair your employees with mentors who are leaders in their fields, whether in your industry or not. Doing so will help your employees learn new skills, grow their networks, and find new ways to advance in their careers. For example, you might pair your sales team members with mentors who are experts in their fields, whether they are in your industry or not. Doing so will help your employees learn new skills, grow their networks, and find new ways to advance in their careers. Mentorship programs can be formalized or informal. If you have the resources and desire to create a formal program, you can put resources and policies in place to guide the process. An informal program can be a great way to inspire employees to learn from one another.
Offer ongoing training and certification programs
Help your employees achieve their career goals by offering ongoing training and certification programs. It’s important to make these offerings available to everyone on your team, not just the top performers. Doing so will not only strengthen your team, but also help your employees advance their careers.For example, your business may offer a bi-annual seminar series that employees can attend to learn new skills. You might also provide certifications in specialities like project management, sales training, or brand management. Doing so will help your employees advance their careers, while helping you achieve your organizational goals.
Establish an employee resource group
An employee resource group or ERG can be a great way to build camaraderie among your employees. An ERG can help employees connect with others who share similar interests and goals, whether in their field or out of it. An ERG can also be a great resource for employees thinking about a career change or attending school. It can provide them with guidance, connections, and support for their journey. To start an ERG, ask your team members what activities and events they would like to see. Consider forming a group that meets regularly to discuss issues and trends in the industry, as well as topics related to personal growth.
Provide opportunities for advancement through promotion from within
Provide opportunities for advancement through promotion from within. Doing so will not only help your employees advance their careers, but also help you retain the talent you have on staff. For example, you may have an employee who is a great fit for your sales team, but they are currently assigned to manage the customer service team. You can offer them a promotion to sales manager. Employee promotions like these are a win-win for both your employees and your business.
Conclusion
Employee career development is an important part of employee retention. You can best support your team members by talking to them about their career goals, creating a mentorship program, offering ongoing training and certification programs, establishing an ERG, and promoting from within. Doing so will help your employees achieve their goals, strengthen your organization, and stay with your company for the long haul. These tips will help you implement programs that help your employees develop new skills, gain confidence, and advance in their careers. By encouraging your employees to chart their own paths, you can help them achieve their goals and be more satisfied with their jobs. And by doing so, you can build a more engaged, productive, and dedicated team.
