How To Find a Job That Values Employee Development

Employee training opportunities provide workers with the knowledge and skills they need to advance in their careers. For employers, investing in employee training means boosting their employees’ productivity, engagement, and potential. Learn why finding a job that values employee development is important for long-term career success.

While employers hire employees for the skills they bring to their new jobs, employers also play a role in long-term employee success. Companies that invest in employee training and development help their workers to flourish, creating engaged workers who boost productivity and thrive professionally and personally.

Sho Dewan, CEO and founder of Workhap, writes, "One of the main factors in keeping an employee engaged is how much learning is emphasized in their current organization.” Structured learning programs help workers acquire advanced knowledge and skills so they can take on new responsibilities and feel valued and purposeful.

Employees can keep their careers progressing upward by assessing how potential workplaces will support their futures before taking on a new position. Jasmine Escalera, a career coach, says, "Don't just jump into your next job or company. Take some time to make sure your next move is the right move. And you land with a company that sees, values, and pays you what you deserve. 

Escalera also says, “We can sometimes get lost in the idea that the company is selecting us. But I like to flip the script and ensure that it is also about us choosing them. So start by considering where you want your career to go and what you need to accomplish those goals."

Importance of Training and Development for Employees

A new job can set employees on the path to learning, especially if they're taking on higher-level responsibilities or applying skills in new ways. But often, those who master a job and are no longer challenged by their work become less interested, motivated or invested in their company's success. One of the top reasons employees leave a job is because of a lack of development and growth, according to Gallup.

Formal training and development programs counterbalance this by keeping a workforce constantly moving forward. Ideally, training matches an employee's career interests and aspirations while also satisfying an organization's needs.

Learning can focus on mastery of hard skills, such as:

• New software or technologies
• Coding
• Data analytics
• Marketing 
• Accounting

It can also encompass personal skills, such as:

• Public speaking
• Interpersonal communication
• Collaboration
• Time management
• Organization
• Negotiation 

Look for companies to invest in employee training through:

• Tuition reimbursement for acquiring in-demand skills or relevant certifications
• Access to executive training programs
• Workshop- or classroom-based learning
• Self-paced online learning
• Internships to help new graduates transition into the workplace
• Mentorship programs to help staff learn from each other
• Access to conferences and industry speakers
• Opportunities to interact with leadership

Employees can better perform their jobs and position themselves for internal job mobility when they reduce their skills gap. According to one study, nearly seven out of 10 workers say they're more likely to stay in a job throughout their careers if given opportunities to up-skill.

Why Companies Should Value Employee Development Plans

Research shows engaged workers are more energized, perform better and stay at jobs longer. The good news is that companies are recognizing the competitive advantage of investing in employee learning experiences and are increasingly focused on top talent development.

Demand for learning and development (L&D) professionals increased by 94% in the third quarter of 2021 as compared to the second quarter, according to research from LinkedIn. And more than half of L&D specialists expected their budgets to increase in 2022.

This investment in employee training pays off by:  

• Empowering workers to achieve their full potential and perform at their best.
• Encouraging continual skills progression and job satisfaction. 
• Inspiring loyalty and making employees feel vested in their job and the company's success.
• Addressing company-wide skills shortages before they occur.
• Making an organization more productive and competitive by cultivating a vital, skilled workforce.
• Providing potential hires with an attractive recruitment incentive.

When employers tie employee learning to clear career advancement initiatives, it also boosts retention, which is one of the biggest challenges for HR departments. Adrienne Tom, an executive resume writer, says, "Investing in the people you have is likely easier and more cost-effective than using resources to find new people.”

Tips for Finding Jobs That Value Training and Development

Ask the right questions during a job search to determine whether a potential employer offers meaningful opportunities to learn. Companies may highlight a range of workplace perks during the recruitment process, but benefits such as performance bonuses, free snacks and arcade games don't reflect how vested a company is in an employee’s long-term growth.

Consider some of these factors when evaluating potential workplaces: 

• How and when can I access employee training programs?
• What do the learning opportunities look like?
• Will my employer match me with a mentor?
• Can I customize learning to my interests and goals?
• Where are the employees who previously held this job? Did they move into jobs with added responsibilities?

Job searchers can also tap into their network to see if any of their connections know what it is like to work for the company. They can also ask recruiters directly, or search for online reviews. 

Career coach Emily Liou also suggests finding out if employers provide continuous training opportunities to all employees or only those on certain tracks. This can indicate if training for employees is part of a wider culture. "Conscious leadership begins with everyone being seen as a leader, regardless of their title," wrote Liou.

Top Takeaways

How to Find a Job that Values Employee Development

• Companies that invest in employee development are more likely to have a vital, engaged workforce.
• Whether an employee is just starting out in the job market or ready to take the next step in their career, landing in the right type of environment can give their career a lift from the first day. 
• Consider whether an organization has structured effective training and development programs and meaningful opportunities to support growth before taking a job.

(Reporting by NPD)