Crushing 3 Myths about Professional Development

Lack of professional development growth opportunities has become one of the leading reasons that employees leave their jobs. Today’s work force is more than interested in growing their careers and developing as professionals-they’re passionate about it. Fortunately for business owners, hiring managers, and development executives, employee training tools and certifications are more accessible than ever thanks to the current technological advances and digital resources. Worried that training programs and certifications for your teams will undercut your profits for the quarter, or worse, the whole year? Relax. Online resources have made employee training more affordable than ever. Nothing is stopping you from taking the steps necessary to ensure that your employees have room to grow, because, let’s face it, turnover is more expensive than encouraging professional development will ever be.

Still not convinced? Take a look at these three myths about employee training and discover how implementing a culture of professional development is easier than you think.

Myth #1: Employees aren’t Interested in Training Programs

While this may have been the case at one point in time, it no longer holds true. When evaluating company culture, 76% of millennials consider professional development opportunities to be one of the most important factors at a potential job. If you don’t have any employee training options, you’re missing out on top candidates.

Additionally, a full 80% of leadership and development professionals place employee development as the top priority for the executive team. The Association for Talent Development (ATD) found that companies that provide comprehensive training options to their employees average 24% higher profits than those who spend less on employee development.

Myth #2: E-learning is not as Effective as Traditional Training

Not only is this simply false, but it also perpetuates other myths about training. For example, if you only offer traditional, in-person training options, you are limiting your pool of potential training resources. With technology developing so quickly, you need access to the most recent resources in order to stay competitive. E-learning makes this possible in a way that traditional training practices simply cannot keep up with.

E-learning opens up a variety of courses and training programs that are affordable, diverse, and easily accessible. Employees generally prefer e-learning because of the flexibility that it offers. Perhaps more significant than employee-preference, companies that implemented e-learning courses to their employees saw a 50% increase in employee productivity.

Another common objection to e-learning is that it simply is not practical enough. However, far from being only theoretical, e-learning can present realistic training scenarios through role-playing, virtual reality, and simulations. Technology can be an invaluable tool when it comes to employee development–you just have to learn to leverage it properly.

Myth #3: Professional Certifications aren’t Valuable

You may be tempted to believe that professional certifications will never replace traditional degree programs and actual job experience. And while those two pillars of employment are certainly foundational, professional certifications provide axillary value to employees and employers alike.

With job-seekers so interested in a work culture that promotes continued education and professional development, providing access to professional certifications is a big draw for potential employees. When applicants discover that they will have the opportunity to boost their resume with professional certifications, they’ll be excited to join your team. Additionally, when you make investments of time and resources to develop your employees, they feel valued and appreciated. This in turn makes them more invested in the company and reduces turnover rates.

Further, offering professional certifications can boost the reputation of your company. They help establish the credibility of your employees and act as a potential draw for future applicants. While you will certainly have to invest resources in order to provide professional certifications, their benefits will far outweigh that initial cost.

In short, employee training isn’t what it used to be. In order to stay competitive, you have to constantly offer ways for your employees to improve themselves and enhance their careers. Fortunately, IBTA can help. We offer a range of professional certifications with content produced by subject matter experts (SMEs) and regularly updated to stay up-to-date with current business trends and standards. Check out our offerings , and start developing a culture of learning today.