Former Harvard University President Derek Bok famously said, ‘If you think education is expensive, try ignorance.’
Any successful business understands the importance of training and upskilling. Things are moving so fast that it’s necessary to upskill staff to stay ahead of the latest developments – in technology, psychology, people and processes.
Employees represent a business, so it’s important that they are not lagging. The entire business benefits from employee training and upskilling as the newly trained team member shares their fresh knowledge with the wider team.
This in turn creates a culture of continual learning and knowledge banking, something that sets progressive workplaces apart from their less progressive peers.
It would be a mistake to look upon training as a cost. Training is in fact a necessary investment. Upskilling supports two critically important business imperatives: productivity and employee engagement.
The availability of good training for employees is a major drawcard. The job market is competitive and people want to acquire as much training as they can. If personal or professional development is an embedded part of a company’s benefits package, the high calibre candidate is likely to sit up and take notice.
Staff training and upskilling also increases morale and productivity. Attending a course boosts employee job satisfaction and increases engagement. By investing in employees, good businesses demonstrate that they value their staff. This pays off in staff retention and performance. Well-trained staff are keen to apply their skills for the benefit of the business. They also feel confident in their own abilities and this shows.
Once an employee undergoes further training their quality of work is higher and output increases. There is a higher return on investment for business as trained staff have more diverse skill sets and are able to take on additional responsibilities. Also, fewer mistakes are made.
Training and upskilling doesn’t have to mirror the day-to-day tasks of an employee. It could focus on people skills, project or time management. Some of the most popular courses now are administration and I.T. as business roles diversify meaning that these skills are valued organisation wide.
Employers of choice demonstrate commitment to their employees through investing in their abilities. The benefits of upskilling far outweigh the initial cost. An investment in the skill sets of your employees is an investment in your own business.
eCampus NZ offers a range of online courses that enable employees to study around their existing work commitments. Courses start at various times throughout the year, meaning employers can stagger staff training to suit workflow. As courses are online, employees can complete the training modules whilst in the office.
Check out the many options of study to upskill your workforce by visiting our website: www.ecampusnz.com.