{"id":7463,"date":"2026-08-24T15:53:42","date_gmt":"2026-08-24T15:53:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bizedgeapp.com\/blog\/?p=7463"},"modified":"2026-08-24T16:11:08","modified_gmt":"2026-08-24T16:11:08","slug":"what-your-employees-need-to-know-about-professional-development","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bizedgeapp.com\/blog\/what-your-employees-need-to-know-about-professional-development","title":{"rendered":"What Your Employees Need to Know About Professional Development"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-post\" data-elementor-id=\"7463\" class=\"elementor elementor-7463\" data-elementor-post-type=\"post\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f16c611 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"f16c611\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-16d43b3 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"16d43b3\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5dd459f elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"5dd459f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">What Your Employees Need to Know About Professional Development<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4be4666 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"4be4666\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-fd48f1e elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"fd48f1e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/bizedgeapp.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/What-Your-Employees-Need-to-Know-About-Professional-Development-1024x576.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-7464\" alt=\"Growth concept illustration idea of success improvement - What Your Employees Need to Know About Professional Development\" srcset=\"https:\/\/bizedgeapp.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/What-Your-Employees-Need-to-Know-About-Professional-Development-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/bizedgeapp.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/What-Your-Employees-Need-to-Know-About-Professional-Development-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/bizedgeapp.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/What-Your-Employees-Need-to-Know-About-Professional-Development-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/bizedgeapp.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/What-Your-Employees-Need-to-Know-About-Professional-Development-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/bizedgeapp.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/What-Your-Employees-Need-to-Know-About-Professional-Development-2048x1151.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/bizedgeapp.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/What-Your-Employees-Need-to-Know-About-Professional-Development-133x75.jpg 133w, https:\/\/bizedgeapp.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/What-Your-Employees-Need-to-Know-About-Professional-Development-480x270.jpg 480w\" sizes=\"(max-width:767px) 480px, (max-width:1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4c85099 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"4c85099\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-14aaeac e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"14aaeac\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;sticky&quot;:&quot;top&quot;,&quot;sticky_on&quot;:[&quot;desktop&quot;,&quot;tablet&quot;],&quot;sticky_parent&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;sticky_offset&quot;:0,&quot;sticky_effects_offset&quot;:0}\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9fe9655 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"9fe9655\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Table of Contents<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-63f77cc elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"63f77cc\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>1. <a href=\"#to\">Why Professional Development is Important<\/a><\/p><p>2. <a href=\"#no\">The Core Things Employees Need to Know<\/a><\/p><p>3. <a href=\"#so\">How to Build a Professional Development Plan\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1ea28d7 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"1ea28d7\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a7c24f5 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"a7c24f5\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Most companies say they value professional development. However, far fewer employees understand what that means for them day to day, what opportunities are available to them, how to access those opportunities, and how they support their career <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/bizedgeapp.com\/blog\/what-is-employee-benefits#:~:text=Professional%20Development%3A%20Partner%20with%20local%20libraries%20or%20educational%20institutions%20to%20offer%20free%20or%20discounted%20workshops%2C%20webinars%2C%20or%20online%20courses%20for%20skill%20development%20and%20career%20advancement.%20Encourage%20knowledge%20sharing%20through%20internal%20mentoring%20programs%20or%20lunch%2Dand%2Dlearn%20sessions.\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">progression<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This gap can cost companies more than they realize. Employees who do not understand their growth options are more likely to disengage or leave for a role that seems to offer more. If you are building a <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/bizedgeapp.com\/product\/performance\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">professional<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> development programme, here is what your employees need to know and how you can ensure they have the information they need to take advantage of available opportunities.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3d5b76b elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"3d5b76b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" id=\"to\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Why Professional Development is Important<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-208be6a elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"208be6a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Many organizations invest heavily in learning platforms, tuition reimbursement, mentorship programs, and conference budgets, only to see low participation because employees simply don&#8217;t know these resources exist or do not understand how to access <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/bizedgeapp.com\/blog\/conducting-effective-performance-reviews#:~:text=When%20organising%20trainings,skills%20for%20productivity.\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">them<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Clear communication about professional development directly affects:<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-457c9e4 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"457c9e4\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">1. Retention<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6ba80dd elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"6ba80dd\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Employees who can see a credible growth path inside the company are far less likely to start job-hunting. Most people don&#8217;t leave because they hate their job, they leave because they can&#8217;t picture what&#8217;s next if they stay, and a competitor offers a clearer story.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-34f3f2a elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"34f3f2a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">2. Engagement<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a41fa22 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"a41fa22\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0Investment tends to go both ways. Employees who feel their employer is genuinely <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/pulse\/empowering-employees-why-works-when-might-ben-halverson#:~:text=Empowering%20your%20employees%20can%20have%20a%20powerful%20impact%20on%20your%20business.%20Ideas%20can%20be%20generated%20quickly%20from%20unlikely%20sources%20and%20collaboration%20is%20created%20in%20a%20team%20atmosphere.%20That\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">developing<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> them are more likely to bring discretionary effort to their work, rather than doing the minimum required to get by.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e8fec4d elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"e8fec4d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">3. Internal mobility<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-438b28d elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"438b28d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Promoting and transferring from within is almost always cheaper and faster than hiring externally, and it preserves institutional knowledge, client relationships, and team trust that a new hire would take months to <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.tekstac.com\/internal-mobility-key-to-talent-strategy\/#:~:text=Internal%20mobility%20refers%20to%20the%20structured%20movement%20of%20employees%20across%20roles%2C%20departments%2C%20projects%2C%20and%20career%20levels%20within%20the%20same%20organization.%20It%20includes%20promotions%2C%20lateral%20moves%2C%20cross%2Dfunctional%20assignments%2C%20mentorships%2C%20and%20project%2Dbased%20gigs.\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">rebuild<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f1159f3 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"f1159f3\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">4. Employer brand<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-93b8213 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"93b8213\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Reputation travels through employee reviews, alumni networks, and word of mouth. Companies known for genuinely developing their people have an easier time recruiting, and it shows up in lower cost-per-hire over time.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a0282d4 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"a0282d4\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" id=\"no\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">The Core Things Employees Need to Know<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-558e5d1 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"558e5d1\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">1. What Professional Development Entails<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-cec5f07 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"cec5f07\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Employees need to understand that professional development is not limited to formal training courses. It can include different ways of building knowledge, skills, experience, and career opportunities within the organization. This could involve training and certifications, tuition support, mentorship, coaching, cross-functional projects, industry events, internal career opportunities, and self-directed learning. Clearly communicating the different options helps employees understand the full range of support available to them<\/span>.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5d58cb2 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"5d58cb2\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">2. How to Access These Resources<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-34ee50d elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"34ee50d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Employees need to know exactly how they can take advantage of professional development opportunities. They should understand who to approach, whether funding is available, what approval is required, and whether there are specific processes or deadlines. When the process is unclear, employees may hesitate to ask or assume that the opportunities are not available to them. Clear instructions make development resources easier and more likely to be used.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0521ca0 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"0521ca0\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">3. Career Path<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-03387b7 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"03387b7\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Professional development should help employees think about where they want their careers to go, not only how they can improve in their current positions. Employees should have opportunities to discuss their career goals and identify the skills they need to move toward those goals. Development plans should therefore connect current skill-building with future responsibilities, roles, and opportunities within the organization.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a95c450 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"a95c450\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">4. Skills Gaps Are Not a Weakness\n<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ad61c19 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"ad61c19\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Employees should understand that identifying a skills gap does not mean they are failing at their jobs. It simply shows where further learning or development may be useful. Creating an environment where employees can openly identify areas they want to improve makes it easier to provide the right training and support. Development should be viewed as an ongoing part of growth rather than a response to poor performance.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a26fd6b elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"a26fd6b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">5. What Success Looks Like<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-48955f4 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"48955f4\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Employees need clear development goals that allow them and their managers to see whether progress is being made. Instead of setting broad goals, development should focus on specific skills, knowledge, certifications, or capabilities that can be worked toward and reviewed over time. This gives employees a clearer direction and gives managers something concrete to follow up on during regular conversations.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ccef027 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"ccef027\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" id=\"so\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">How to Build a Professional Development Plan \n<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-11ef23b elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"11ef23b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">1. Identify strengths and skills\n<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-eb74b0e elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"eb74b0e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This establishes where the employee currently stands by identifying their existing capabilities, experience, and areas of strength. It gives both the employee and manager a clear starting point for development and helps ensure that the plan builds on what the employee already knows while addressing areas that need improvement.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Having a clear target makes the development plan more purposeful and helps the employee understand what they are working toward.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3cd164c elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"3cd164c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">2. Implement Specific Development Activities<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d9b2aa0 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"d9b2aa0\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This outlines the actions the employee will take to achieve their development goals. Development should involve practical activities that allow employees to build and apply new skills, rather than simply stating that they need to improve in a particular area.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-bbe425a elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"bbe425a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">3. Fix a Timeline\n<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f5d45d7 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"f5d45d7\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A timeline gives each development goal a clear timeframe for completion. It creates accountability and makes it easier for both the employee and manager to track progress and determine whether the development plan is moving forward as intended.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-fd85128 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"fd85128\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">4. Check-in Cadence<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b3bc098 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"b3bc098\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Regular check-ins ensure that development remains an ongoing conversation between the employee and manager. These conversations provide an opportunity to review progress, address challenges, provide feedback, and make adjustments to the plan where necessary.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The plan should live somewhere employees and managers both revisit, not get created once during onboarding and forgotten. This makes professional development an ongoing process rather than a one-time HR activity.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-89478b8 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"89478b8\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;sticky&quot;:&quot;top&quot;,&quot;sticky_on&quot;:[&quot;desktop&quot;,&quot;tablet&quot;],&quot;sticky_parent&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;sticky_offset&quot;:0,&quot;sticky_effects_offset&quot;:0}\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c3224f3 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"c3224f3\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Looking for a smarter way to manage your HR processes?<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-854bddd elementor-widget elementor-widget-button\" data-id=\"854bddd\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"button.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-button-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-button elementor-button-link elementor-size-sm\" href=\"https:\/\/calendly.com\/bizedgeappdemo\/30min\" target=\"_blank\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-content-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-text\">Book a demo<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>What Your Employees Need to Know About Professional Development Table of Contents 1. Why Professional<span class=\"excerpt-hellip\"> [\u2026]<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":12,"featured_media":7464,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[19],"tags":[526],"class_list":["post-7463","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-feature","tag-human-resources"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.1.1 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>What Your Employees Need to Know About Professional Development | Bizedge<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"What Your Employees Need to Know About Professional Development Table of Contents 1. Why Professional Development is Important2. 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