Employee Development Lets You Invest in Your Workers’ Future

Employee development is an essential part of any business strategy — one that can lead to a more productive and motivated workforce. In this article, we'll discuss why employee development is vital, show you how to create an employee development plan, provide examples of areas for development, and give you a template to help you get started.

What is employee development?

Employee development is the process of improving the skills and knowledge of your workers, enhancing their performance and (potentially) preparing them for future roles in your company. This can include formal training programs, mentoring, and on-the-job learning experiences. Employee development can also involve providing opportunities for personal and professional growth, such as leadership development or career advancement.

Why is employee development important?

There are several reasons why employee development is important for small businesses. First, it helps to retain talented employees. When workers feel they have opportunities for growth and advancement, they’re much more likely to stay. Employee development can also lead to increased productivity and efficiency — as well as improved morale and job satisfaction. Taken together, these factors can result in a more engaged and motivated workforce.

A second benefit of employee development is that it helps to prepare your employees for future roles within your firm. This is particularly important for small businesses that may not have a large pool of candidates to choose from when filling leadership positions. By investing in the development of your current employees, you create a more sustainable workforce, and ensure you have the leadership talent you need to continue growing.

How to create an employee development plan

Creating an effective employee development plan relies on taking some key steps. Recommendations to focus on:

• Assessing your current workforce: Identify the skills and knowledge that are currently lacking within your business or a specific team.

• Identifying your business goals: Consider the current and future needs of your business, and what skills and knowledge your employees will need to meet those needs.

• Developing a well-thought-out plan: Create a plan that includes specific training and development opportunities, as well as opportunities for mentoring, networking, and on-the-job learning experiences.

• Setting measurable goals: Identify specific, measurable goals for each employee, and agree on ways to track progress against them over time.

• Evaluating each plan: Regularly evaluate the effectiveness of each employee’s plan, and make adjustments as needed.

Employee development plan examples

Here are a few examples of employee development plans that can be adapted to meet the needs of your small business:

• On-the-job training: Provide employees with the opportunity to learn new skills by working on projects or taking on additional responsibilities.

• Mentoring: Pair experienced employees with newer employees to provide guidance and support.

• Professional development: Encourage employees to attend conferences, workshops, and other professional development opportunities.

• Leadership development: Provide opportunities for employees to develop leadership skills through training, mentoring, and taking on leadership roles within the company.

Employee development plan template

To help you start creating your own employee development plan, consider using these fields as you build your template:

• Employee name:

• Current role:

• Current skills and knowledge:

• Desired skills and knowledge:

• Training and development opportunities:

• Mentoring/networking opportunities:

• On-the-job learning experiences:

• Measurable goals:

Employee development is only the start

Developing your employees is just one way for you as a small business owner to demonstrate your ongoing investment in your workforce. Another is to consider their health and well-being. This is something you can achieve at an affordable cost by offering a group health benefits plan. A group health benefits plan provides workers with additional peace of mind — so they know that both they and their families have access to quality medical care should they ever need it.

Having access to health care benefits can help employees feel more secure in their jobs, and make them more willing to stay with your company longer term. It can also help to attract new employees, as many job seekers consider healthcare benefits to be an important factor when evaluating job offers.

A group health benefits plan can also help to keep your employees healthy and productive. When employees have access to regular medical care, they are more likely to catch and treat health problems early on, reducing the likelihood of long-term health issues. It’s also often the case that when employees feel their employer cares about their well-being, they may be more motivated to take care of their own health and wellness.

Get a no-obligation group health benefits quote from us today

Our Self-Funded Program provides flexible health coverage and contract options for small-to mid-sized companies. See what your small business can offer new and existing employees by getting a quote from us today.