Employee development is the best way to address the skills gap in the workforce, according to the Credit Union Times.
In the modern workplace, there appears to be a mismatch between the skills that employers require and the skills that job seekers possess. According to data from a ManpowerGroup study, 45% of companies surveyed found that the skills they needed to accomplish goals were not available through their current employees.
Part of the issue here is recruitment. Employers can no longer rely on traditional recruitment methods to fill job openings, as hiring software that judges prospective employees' abilities based on meaningless keywords can worsen the issue. Instead, they must focus on developing the skills of their existing employees to meet their changing business needs.
Investing in employee development can have several benefits for employers. Most importantly, it can help retain employees by providing them with opportunities for growth and advancement. Increasing skills also bolsters employee engagement and motivation, as employees will feel valued for their potential. This ultimately leads to higher productivity and job satisfaction. Employee skill building can fill gaps by providing them with the knowledge to perform their jobs effectively and move into new and better roles.
Developing employee skills isn't hard, but creating the right program for your company takes time. Training and development programs focused on specific skills or knowledge areas are the most valuable tools. These programs can be delivered through workshops, online courses, or on-the-job training. Another approach is to provide employees with mentoring and coaching opportunities. Pairing employees with more experienced colleagues can help them develop new skills and knowledge and provide them with valuable feedback and guidance.
Employers can also encourage employees to pursue certifications and credentials relevant to their job roles by providing them with financial or perks-related incentives for doing so. These certifications can demonstrate an employee's expertise and help them stay up to date with the latest industry trends and best practices.
