5 Benefits of Supporting Employees with Learning and Development

Historically, workplace learning through courses, seminars or digital means has only been “accepted” if there’s enough time left over in the day, and only ever once all other tasks are complete. It’s also not uncommon that employees are expected to give up their evenings or weekends to attend this training, rather than being allowed to incorporate the learning into their workday. But why is this, and what’s been the barrier to professional growth and learning being valued as highly as it should?

Let’s deep dive into the top 5 benefits of training staff during their working days; otherwise known as L&D.

1. Learning and Development improves skills

It goes without saying that offering staff the chance to learn will broaden their skillset and knowledge, therefore having a direct impact on your business.

One of the biggest online career boards, Indeed.com is a huge advocate of this, highlighting that “these improvements will positively affect the productivity of workers, which can increase the profits and efficiency of an organisation.”  

Yes, it might impact short term task completion, but stick with it. Making learning a key task in an employees’ day can have a huge positive impact on the business in the weeks and months ahead. Plus, showing your team that you value their learning enough to set time aside in the day for them to work on their development instils a real learning culture within the company, which is something that employees love.

2. Learning and Development makes employees feel more valued

Employees expect a much healthier work/life balance than they did in the past. Since the pandemic in particular, their free time is valuable and should be spent in ways that allow them to unwind, switch off from work and avoid any overworking burnout.

Allowing staff to further their career and develop professionally during the working day as part of their job speaks volumes about the company valuing them, and their happiness.

The result?

Happier employees working better.

3. Learning and Development can help businesses stay ahead of the curve

Emphasising employee training and using tools to monitor exactly what they’re learning can help establish any skill gaps, as by tracking what staff are reading, watching, and listening to will give a good overview of strengths throughout the wider business, as well as a clear insight into where additional training may be needed.

In fact, closing skill gaps will also help present-day operations, and future company growth too, with IBM saying that “organisations must find ways to stay ahead of skills relevancy, and hiring alone is not a sustainable solution to the talent crisis.”

Now, successfully navigating this new environment requires businesses to reshape their skills, talent, and culture. The improvements will be significant.

4. Learning and Development boosts productivity

As employees learn new skills and abilities, they will not just become better workers, they will feel like more productive members of the wider business. In turn, this will improve their morale as well as their workplace capabilities.

Investing in employees this way shows them they’re valued, and they will become better equipped to do their job and a happier and more productive member of the team as a result.

5. Learning and Development attracts and retain talent

Good staff retention saves time, money, and resources, so keeping the talent you have is crucial. Equally, when looking to hire new talent, offering L&D to be proud of will go a long way.

As highlighted in a recent article by Forbes, this is because in today’s working landscape, “it’s not enough for a candidate and employer to share values; today’s jobseekers also want reassurance that if they join a company, they’ll be able to learn new skills.” In other words, job seekers want a job that can satisfy them today and, in the future, meaning L&D is now a must-tick item on their checklist.

Remember

Learning during the working day is a relatively new concept, but it’s what employees want, and it could make all the difference between them choosing to work for you or your competitor.

Allowing employees to learn, grow professionally, and upskill as a routine part of their working day has many benefits. From happier and productive staff, to increased talent retention, and closed knowledge gaps. Companies are beginning to see that continued and consistent learning at work is having a hugely positive impact now and will continue to help them thrive in the future.

Plan, build, train and support your Learning and Development with BuildEmpire

We’re here to help your business achieve those L&D goals with everything from customised learning management systems to bespoke virtual learning environments.

In fact, here at BuildEmpire, we can design and build the perfect learning system to fit all your L&D needs, and will be there for ongoing hosting, maintenance, and support to ensure you and your learners are always getting the most out of your learning platform, saving you time and money in the long run.

Reach out today to get started.