Dinara Kovalenko – HR Specialist

Intro

As a continuation of our previous discussion on self development, we now delve into the important role companies play in supporting employee education and growth. In the earlier installment, we explored how individuals can take ownership of their career development. However, it is essential to acknowledge that the responsibility for professional growth should not solely rest upon the employees' shoulders.

Today, we shift the focus towards how companies can actively contribute to the advancement of their workforce. Investing in employee education and self-development not only leads to increased employee satisfaction and retention, but it also enhances organizational performance and overall success. Let's explore the various ways companies can support their employees' career development and foster a culture of continuous learning and improvement.

How a company can support employee education

The responsibility for career development should not only fall exclusively on the employee. It is not just a matter of individual benefit, but it is also essential for the long-term success of the company. A company that invests in its employees' professional growth not only increases employee satisfaction and retention, but it also enhances organizational performance, which ultimately leads to increased profitability. A recent article from McKinsey & Company found that the world’s most financially successful companies prioritize the retention of their top talent. Employees who have access to opportunities for self-development are 15% more engaged, according to the Better Buys survey. Engaged staff members are more productive, enjoy their jobs more, and are less likely to leave the company. Companies can promote a culture of continuous growth that benefits both the organization and the workforce by offering resources and opportunities for learning and development. There are numerous ways in which businesses can help their staff.

• Provide a range of learning and development programs, like workshops, training sessions, mentorship, and coaching programs. Employees can benefit from these programs by developing new skills, improving existing skills, and staying current with market trends.
• In addition, companies can encourage career conversations between employees and their managers. Employees will have the chance to talk about their professional goals and receive advice on how to succeed as a result. Regular career discussions can also assist managers in identifying areas where staff members need additional training and support. Employers should encourage team members to ask for guidance and support from their colleagues. Sometimes, it can be intimidating to admit that we don't know something or that we need help. However, by creating a culture of openness and support, we can empower everyone to learn and grow together.
• An essential component for promoting employee self-development is providing flexibility. Employers can help employees balance their work and personal lives by providing flexible work options like remote work or flexible schedules. This can lessen stress and boost job satisfaction, allowing workers to concentrate on their personal development.
• Another successful business tactic is to reward and recognize staff members who take responsibility for their own growth. When employees acquire new skills or assume greater responsibility within the organization, this can involve rewarding them with promotions, pay increases, or bonuses. In a survey conducted by Pew Research, 63% of employees said they quit a job during 2021 because of a lack of advancement opportunities. This highlights the potential consequences of not providing opportunities for self-development to employees, such as losing top talent and damaging the company's reputation as an employer of choice.

While these are just a few examples, there are many ways companies can support employee development. It's important for companies to recognize the value of investing in their employees and to continuously look for ways to help them grow and develop in their careers. Therefore, companies that prioritize employee self-development not only benefit their employees but also enhance their organizational performance and reputation. By investing in ones employee’s growth and development, one can attract and retain top talent, increase employee engagement and satisfaction, and create a culture of continuous learning and improvement.

What we do at Scalio

At Scalio, we firmly believe that nurturing self-development is the cornerstone for achieving personal and professional excellence. As an employer, we are dedicated to empowering our team members in their quest for self-improvement. To facilitate this, we have implemented various programs to aid our employees on their journey.

Budget for Self-Development

To foster a culture of constant learning and development in our organization, we have established the Perk Up program. This initiative provides our employees with self-development incentives, including a budget to invest in their personal growth, such as attending conferences or taking courses. The Perk Up program showcases our commitment to our personnel's growth and development, while also encouraging a culture of lifelong learning within our organization.

Facilitate Open Knowledge Sharing 

At Scalio, we also prioritize knowledge-sharing among our team members through our Scalio Talks program. This is a monthly internal event where our team members share their knowledge and expertise on various topics. This monthly internal event provides an avenue for our employees to impart their knowledge and expertise on various topics, thereby enabling their colleagues to expand their knowledge and skills. In addition to being a platform for knowledge-sharing, Scalio Talks also offers our employees the chance to refine their public speaking and presentation skills by presenting to a friendly and supportive audience of colleagues. This creates a safe space for them to practice delivering effective presentations and receiving constructive feedback.

Document and Catalog Best Practices

Another opportunity we have recently introduced is called Learning Hub, which is hosted on our Notion database. This platform is planned to be curated and frequently updated with resources aimed at enhancing our employees' personal growth and development. These resources encompass a wide range of topics, from technical skills to personal wellness, including books, articles, podcasts, and videos. Our motive behind this initiative is to simplify the process of accessing these resources, thereby enabling our employees to achieve both personal and professional growth seamlessly.

Conduct Performance Reviews Focused on Professional Growth

Also, during the performance review process, each team member has the opportunity to receive valuable feedback and direction from their experienced manager. This feedback is crucial in identifying areas of improvement and receiving suggestions for growth and development. At this critical juncture, it's important for both the manager and team members to approach the discussion with an open mind and a willingness to learn and improve. The manager can provide specific examples of where the team member has excelled and areas where they can improve. They can also provide guidance on training and development opportunities that will help the team member enhance their skills and achieve their career goals.

As a whole, we firmly believe that investing in the self-development of our valued employees is imperative for the prosperity of both our workforce and our company. Our aim is to cultivate a culture of perpetual learning and advancement within the organization by offering self-development incentives, online resources, and knowledge-sharing opportunities.

Conclusion

Amidst a competitive workforce, where market conditions are applying greater pressure on businesses to deliver results, firms today have a responsibility to create value amidst their most valuable assets: talented people.

Companies have a means to inspire and retain their top talent via employee education and self-development. By investing in their employees' growth, businesses can create a workforce that is engaged, motivated, and continuously improving. Offering learning and development programs, promoting career conversations, providing flexibility, and recognizing employees' efforts are effective strategies for cultivating a culture of growth.

At Scalio, we firmly believe in empowering our employees to achieve personal and professional excellence. Through initiatives like the Perk Up program, Scalio Talks, Learning Hub, and performance reviews, we foster an environment that encourages lifelong learning and skill enhancement. By prioritizing employee self-development, companies not only benefit their employees but also enhance organizational performance and reputation.