In 2019 CPD is more important than ever, says Libby Webb.
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Professional development, Learning Experience Platforms (LXPs) and Open Learning Experiences (OLXs) are just a few of the many new buzzwords to flood the L&D industry in the last year or so.
Gone are the times of training for compliance, for certification and tick-box exercises. 2018 was the year we saw CPD soar in global organisations, with the introduction of the LXP facilitating this next-level approach to training and development.
What Is CPD?
Firmly rooted in the outcome of results and the application of skills, Continuing Professional Development is a combination of approaches, ideas and techniques that provide learners with the ability to manage their own learning journeys and professional growth.
CPD sees learners combining a variety of methods, including self-directed learning, goal-based learning and problem-based learning, adopting a hands-on approach to their learning experience. People in a wide variety of professions/businesses participate in professional development opportunities to learn and apply new knowledge and skills that will improve their performance on the job.
Gone are the times of training for compliance, for certification and tick-box exercises.
The effectiveness of CPD depends primarily on how carefully learners conceive, plan and implement the skills/knowledge acquired through their learning experiences.
Professional development in 2019
In early 2018, the importance of CPD opportunities began to be emphasised by the L&D industry and soon became facilitated by rapid developments in technology. There are four prominent reasons why professional development opportunities are a vital aspect of L&D in 2019.
Professionals value L&D highly
As more organisations offer work placements, graduate schemes and even extend their brand across multiple countries, sometimes continents, millennial workers entering the workforce seemingly have more choice than ever before.
Research carried out in 2018 indicated that 40% of millennials who don’t receive the necessary on the job training to become more effective in their role will leave their positions within the first year.
But it’s not only the modern workforce that ranks training and development opportunities in the workplace so highly. In fact, a national survey of over 400 employees spanning three generations (Baby Boomers, Millennials and Generation X) 70% of respondents expressed that the training opportunities available to them play a huge influence in their decision on whether to stay in their current role.
For all businesses, no matter how big or small, professional development possibilities are the one investment you simply cannot afford not to make.
It’s cheaper to retain talent
Any organisation’s main focus should be on refining and retaining talent. In most cases, it is more cost effective to invest in L&D solutions aimed at professional development and leadership training than it is to continuously expend resources when replacing employees who have moved on.
By ensuring every member of your workforce has access to rich L&D opportunities, from day dot, you ensure every member of each team in your business is as skilled as it could be, therefore reducing the impact on productivity if your top talent decides to leave.
Improved ROI
The Association for Talent Development (ATD) assert that organisations who offer comprehensive training programs achieve 218% higher income than companies who fail to implement an effective employee development-focused training plan.
Many LXPs today ship with a built-in analytics dashboard to help you understand the real benefit the investment is having on organisational growth. The learning data you gather can also be used to inform future learning design, ensuring the professional development opportunities you deliver remain relevant.
Workers become better skilled in their role
I think this one goes without saying. Training and development programs – particularly those that focus on professional development – are implemented with the aim of developing and growing a workforce.
The great thing about CPD is that it allows the learner to take control of their own learning journeys, to develop the skills they think they lack the most and push themselves to be the best that they can.
And with a more developed, more skilled workforce, we’re sure you’re productivity levels will soar and your business will only prosper following this worthwhile investment.
About the author
Libby Webb is a content writer for HT2 Labs.
