QUICK BRIEF
Staff Development for
the Future
In times of economic uncertainty, many
organisations question the need for a staff development budget. Some
organisations are already reducing their staff development budget. Others are
looking for ways to provide the same level of staff development more effectively,
or at a lower cost.
Traditionally organisations have used staff development to
provide specialists, supervisors, managers and directors of the
future. Often long term, specialist, staff development has been used to provide a
career path for staff, as well as formal qualifications. Usually the staff development
has also contributed towards academic, professional or vocational
qualifications.
However, today many organisations do not encourage staff to
stay within one part of the organisation for their complete career. Staff
will be encouraged to gain additional skills within other parts of the
organisations. Often staff will also be 'encouraged' to spend part of
their career outside of the organisation, possibly rejoining later.
As a consequence, there is a move towards shorter term
staff development, which is usually associated with the current work and position. Although some
organisations also provide some diversified career staff development, this tends to consist of
short duration courses, aligned to the current skills shortages.
staff development organisations have adapted to this trend. Many
now provide a wide variety of related short tem courses. These can be be
combined in a variety of different ways to provide a complete suite of
staff development for an organisation, or an individuals career.
These short term courses can be very effective by
providing staff development in specific skills. However, many courses may be needed
to provide comprehensive, rounded, career skills to an individual,
or group. Inevitably, this means greater expense, although it can be
spread over a longer period, or even stopped for a while.
This approach also takes into account the concept
of 'Knowledge Workers', providing specialist skills in a variety of
complex data related areas. These people have specific skills which need
to be updated regularly, as technology and concepts progress. A regular
specialist short course can provide the necessary update to their skills,
as well as helping to retain them.
Therefore, care needs to be taken in selecting the most
appropriate staff development for staff in these times of economic uncertainty.
Whilst it is easy to reduce the staff development budget as an economy measure. It
is important to consider the future staff development needs, when the economy
improves. Organisations will want to take full advantage of this, as
quickly as possible. Good, effective staff development will give the organisation
the competitive edge it needs to take advantage of the upturn in the
economy, quickly.
Whilst long term career staff development may not be always be
appropriate, it is essential that good staff development is provided for staff.
This staff development should not just be for their immediate use, consideration
should also be given to the future skills requirements for the organisation
and the individuals.
If you need
help with assessing your staff development needs during the current conditions of
economic uncertainty, or wish to find out how Migrators
can help you implement / improve staff development, within your organisation please contact our specialist
consultants, by
email at
info@migrators.co.uk,
or by telephone on + 44 79 73 167 005.
