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Equipping your staff with the skills and capabilities to perform their jobs and facilitate the drive to succeed is vital. By proactively approaching staff training and development, your organisation can gain a competitive advantage and ensure employees feel valued,challenged, and fulfilled.
Here are ten ways to fuel engagement with your training and development initiatives:
Using rewards and incentives can encourage employees to engage with your organisation's staff training and development programme. It can be small things such as sending a digital certificate or having a section in a company newsletter to shout out those who have completed their learning. These initiatives can help employees feel seen and increase their enthusiasm for learning.
Working with employees to create their own learning pathways can help to enhance their engagement with the training and development materials. This is because they are working towards the skills required to progress into their desired role or career. A report by McKinsey found that 70% of employees said that their sense of purpose is defined by their work, which can help reduce the resistance towards L&D.
Clearly define the goals and objectives of the staff training and development program. When individuals clearly understand what they are working towards, they are more likely to engage actively in the learning process.
Ensure the content and materials used for staff training and development are relevant and tailored to your employees' specific needs and interests. If they say that they want to develop their skills in Sales and you send them on a Sustainability course, they will feel undervalued and as if you don’t care about their L&D journey. When people see the practical applications of the skills they acquire, they are more motivated to engage and learn. So, working with employees to develop their learning plans to align with their desired roles is essential.
People have different learning preferences, so it's essential to provide a variety of learning methods. In staff training and development, a one-size-fits-all approach will rarely work, especially if the goal is to increase engagement. By offering different approaches to learning in various modalities, your employees can find a way that best suits them. Consider a range of formats such as audio courses, podcasts, videos, or written content.
Encourage participant collaboration through group projects, discussions, or peer learning activities. This enhances engagement and allows individuals to learn from one another and share their insights and experiences. By using collaboration in learning, you can create a sense of belonging in your team. When employees feel like they belong, there can be a 56% increase in job performance and a 75% decrease in sick days.
Skills development should be an ongoing process. Provide continuous learning and growth opportunities, such as workshops, webinars, or access to online resources. Encourage individuals to explore new topics and expand their skill sets, allowing them to develop skills to help them in their current or dream role.
Foster a supportive and inclusive learning environment where participants feel comfortable asking questions, sharing ideas, and seeking help. Encourage open communication and provide resources or mentors who can offer guidance and support.
Implement a system to track and measure the progress of participants. This is a critical component of employee motivation and well-being. By building a culture of recognition, you can increase employee engagement. Being authentic and showing genuine interest in your employee's progress and achievements is essential. Ask probing questions to help understand what they’re excited about and what matters to them.
Promote self-reflection among employees by encouraging them to assess their strengths, weaknesses, and areas for improvement. Help them set personal learning goals aligned with their aspirations and regularly revisit and revise them.
Remember, every individual is unique, so it's crucial to adapt these strategies to the specific context and needs of your employees. At Assemble You, we offer bespoke course creation tailored to your organisation and the needs of your employees. So, if you’re looking to increase engagement with your staff training and development initiatives, book a call with us today.
