A quick browse on any job search site shows there is an oversupply of roles and not enough people to fill them. So, in a difficult labour market, is it any surprise that employees may be inclined to keep their options open? A valued employee leaving is a huge upset to a business. Along with losing the knowledge acquired during the employee lifecycle though time and experience, it can also create discord and impact the culture of an organisation for those workers who remain.
The bottom line is that it’s not good for the bottom line. The cost associated with recruitment, onboarding and training is significant, and it’s better to nip any issues of disengagement in the bud before things escalate. So, what can business owners do?
Training and development opportunities for workers is vital
Good leaders who are effective at unlocking employee motivation, not only inspire workers to execute the job well but also find purpose within it. By investing in the career development of employees, managers demonstrate a genuine interest and trust in the people within the business.
Providing workers with training and learning opportunities is a great way to increase employee engagement. Workers who are able to learn new skills are interested, more confident and capable in their ability to carry out the job requirements; and will pour that knowledge back into the business.
An engaged workforce supports growth through higher productivity and profitability, lower turnover, and more satisfied customers. Businesses that focus on learning and development can make important strides in achieving these types of benefits.
How can I provide training and development opportunities for my team without breaking the bank?
Supporting the professional development of a team doesn’t have to be costly. Whether the workforce consists of hundreds of employees or just a few, businesses can implement different types of learning in different settings to achieve the same goal of increasing employee engagement through learning and development.
Business owners can look at upskilling team members with:
- On the job training to learn a new process
- Cross skill training with someone more senior or someone from another department
- One to one mentoring with a manager
- Team training days onsite where multiple team members develop skills in a specific area such as communication, leadership or customer service
- Online courses (although these vary in price it can be beneficial in learning new technologies, software or programs)
- Sessions over lunch or breakfast run by other employees within the business as an opportunity to present their knowledge to the team in a casual setting
How will this help to improve employee retention?
Employees are more likely to stay at a company longer if it invests in the growth of workers. Managers that offer career development opportunities will see employees remain committed to the business, as workers not only find job satisfaction but are able to accomplish personal growth goals within the organisation.
Learning and development is a key driver of employee engagement, and good leaders recognise this. If you need assistance upskilling your workforce, Cornerstone can provide effective team training in achieving important outcomes such as Leadership Development or Team Building through one of our training packages. Get in touch for a chat about the many topics we cover!
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