Employee development — often referred to as professional development or staff development — encompasses any professional training or continuing education that an employer facilitates in order to support workers in furthering their career. It covers a variety of learning opportunities, including seminars, professional certifications, higher education courses and mentorship programs.
Prioritizing staff development ensures that team members’ skills evolve in accordance with industry trends and best practices. And employers who invest in additional education that complements an employee’s career trajectory can see higher retention rates, more engaged staff and greater revenue.
Professional development is meant to improve employees’ skills and knowledge so they can progress in their overall career path, not just build a skill set for a particular role. While it’s ultimately the individual’s responsibility to own their professional development, it’s to the employer’s benefit to encourage continuing education by ensuring staff have access to both internal and external learning opportunities.