Employees are a company’s greatest asset and the key to success and business growth. Investing in theirtraining and developmenteliminates skill gaps, teaches them new technologies, and helps them become product experts. That investment improves performance, innovation, and customer service.
Top Workplaces outshine the competition, leading with people-first cultures. And their employees agree. At Top Workplaces, 85 percent or more typically respond positively to the statement, “My manager helps me learn and grow:”
Let’s explore the benefits of training.
1. Improved employee retention: When employees believe managers support their growth, employees are more committed and want to stay put.
2. Increased employee engagement: Investing in the growth of employees makes employees feel valued and appreciated. In return, employees remain loyal, bring their best to work each day and are more likely to recommend the company to others.
3. More productivity: Employees are better able to do their work efficiently and well when prepared with the right skills and knowledge. Higher productivity means more time to improve processes and increase profitability.
4. Boosted employee morale: When employees believe the company is willing to invest in their development, self-confidence and motivation are the results.
5. Consistent employment processes: Uniformity of employment processes ensures employees have access to the same relevant and consistent education opportunities; it levels the playing field, standardizes advantages, and even helps maintain fair promotion processes.
6. Less employee supervision: Employees who have been properly trained require less supervision. This enables managers and employees to develop a relationship that’s focused on larger initiatives and opportunities for improvement.
7. Increased ability to promote from within: Training and development builds future leaders by providing the education necessary for growth. Preparing your best employees for upward mobility is a key part of succession planning.
8. Reduced waste: When employees are properly trained, they are more efficient and less likely to make mistakes. It saves money, improves safety, and increases productivity.
9. Better knowledge of company policies and goals: Learning sessions that explore the company direction and values strengthen employee alignment and connection, which is one strategy toimprove workplace culture.
10. Better work environment: Employee training and professional development encourage a positive culture with increases in morale, productivity, and business success.
11. Improved technology proficiency: Stay ahead of the technology learning curve; it’s important for productivity, effectiveness, innovation, and efficiency. It’s also helps companies outperform the competition.
12. Stronger brand reputation: Theimportance of company reputationshould not be underestimated. Employee training and development improve a sense of connection. In turn, this leads to an employee’s willingness to recommend the company.
13. More effective onboarding: Comprehensive onboarding training leads to better onboarding and more employee respect. With formal onboarding training, everyone starts a new role on a good foot.
14. Keeps the company competitive: The more personal and professional development opportunities you offer, the more competitive and popular your organization becomes. And without the right training opportunities, employees who value growth will leave to find it elsewhere.
15. Attracting top talent: Top Workplaces use this as a recruitment tactic. Today’s job seekers do their homework and are motivated to find companies that will invest in professional development and career goals.
Bob Helbig is media partnerships director at Energage, a Philadelphia-based employee survey firm. Energage is The Washington Post’s survey partner for Top Workplaces. To nominate your company as a Top Workplace, go to https://www.washingtonpost.com/nominate.
