Continuing Education in the Workplace

We all know that life is a journey of continuous learning and education. But what role does continuing education have to play in the workplace? And what benefits do continuing education bring to employees and employers?

First, let’s define our terms. “Continuing education” is fairly broad: it can mean anything from courses, to certification, to workshops. Essentially, continuing education is about developing professional and personal knowledge and skills that are either specific to your field or that help you to diversify and expand your capacity.

So, why might you decide to pursue continuing education for yourself or your team members?

Benefits For Employees

In a world of continual change, continuing education can help ensure that your knowledge remains relevant and up-to-date. By pursuing a continuing education course or program, you can grow your skillset and advance your knowledge, outside of work, and often in ways that work alone couldn’t provide you. Sometimes, the right course or certification can be all you need to become more proficient and confident within your current position – and can even facilitate advancement and promotion.

In addition, continuing education can simply be fun and fulfilling. Learning something new and being in a new environment – whether virtual or physical – can do a lot to broaden your horizons and keep you from feeling bored or stuck.

Benefits for Employers

Promoting and supporting continued education is a key way to encourage career growth and ensure that employees have the knowledge and skills they need to excel in their role. When organizations invest in their employees, they demonstrate their commitment to upskilling and reskilling their workforce. Companies can create a highly skilled and versatile workforce, where employees are committed to learning and, therefore, contribute new ideas and creativity to the business.

Furthermore, companies that provide and/or encourage continuing education and professional development programs often boast a higher retention rate, as employees feel invested in and challenged.

Moreover, given the rapid change and advancement in technology, companies that focus on continued education specifically around technology stand to benefit from a workforce that is ready to meet emergent challenges and innovate on the edge of what’s possible.

Here at MacPhie, we believe in the power of continuing education, for ourselves and for our clients. That’s why we invest in our own team members’ training and upskilling and why we bring so much passion and energy to developing and delivering team and leadership development programs that truly improve team performance and engagement.