Continuous technical skills development is an effective, often overlooked method of increasing employee retention rates, helping staff stay engaged, and keeping on top of emerging trends and technologies.
It takes far more than bespoke training programs, online courses, and workshops to establish a continuous learning and development culture.
Hence, speaking directly to HR professionals and managers, we will focus on the benefits of ‘upskilling’ for employees and employers. Highlighting how continuous technical skills development can be a powerful tool in boosting employee retention rates.
What is CTSD?
Continuous technical skills development (CTSD) is a form of professional development and involves ongoing training to expand the skills and knowledge of employees. ‘Continuous’ is a flexible term and training can be provided in a range of settings and formats based on factors such as the size of the business or its specific industry. Even teachers in certain niches can benefit from this approach.
According to a Gallup study, 71% of employees stated that job training and development opportunities directly increased their job satisfaction, in addition to a better-trained and more engaged workforce.
Some of the core elements that make up a continuous learning and development culture include:
- Regular and accessible learning opportunities.
- Up-to-date learning content that takes into account the latest industry trends and technology.
- Opportunities for employees to apply their new knowledge and skills in their role.
- A progressive culture that encourages learning and professional development.
- A collaborative environment that allows employees to share their knowledge.
- Robust feedback mechanisms to continuously improve learning platforms.
Boosting Employee Retention Rates with Continuous Technical Skills Development
Continuous technical skills development provides employees with the opportunity to hone their current skills and learn new ones while staying on top of the latest industry trends and advancements aiding in employee retention.
Modern professionals, particularly those working in tech are eager to improve their knowledge and abilities and if these needs are not met, they are likely to explore new opportunities.
In the fast-paced, ever-changing world of DevOps or data science, professionals need to continue evolving so they are equipped to adapt to new roles and face new challenges. As such, businesses that fail to offer a sufficient pathway for learning see a higher churn of employees than those that have nurtured a continuous technical skills development culture.
This culture is also important for attracting the next generation of talent and can be used as a powerful branding tool. This is why organizations should always make sure that externally-facing content embodies this culture.
In this regard, dedicated brand management software can be used to monitor social media, industry forums, and job boards, providing a better understanding of how this skills enhancement focus is affecting how people perceive your brand. Gathering feedback from prospective candidates is also an effective way of determining brand effectiveness and public perception.
The Different Types of Continuous Technical Skills Development
Several types of CTSD allow employees to learn in different ways based on their preferences. Ultimately, the choice should be made on a case-by-case basis, with experimental mixes always being a welcome addition. Thus, even during the onboarding process, it should be established whether the employee prefers
- Active Learning (Structured) – Active learning involves employee participation and incorporates interactive elements that simulate real-world scenarios. This type of learning is usually delivered in the form of workshops or training courses, and progress is typically measured with coding exams and practical assessments. Active learning may also require self-directed learning with employees revising and studying in their own time.
- Passive Learning (Reflective) – Although passive learning is structured, it does not encourage employee interaction and usually involves participants watching learning content such as video tutorials or webinars. This is often the preferred format for employees who wish to learn at their own pace.
- Self-Directed Learning (Informal) – This type of CTSD is unstructured and completed in a solo setting, sometimes outside of working hours. Self-directed learning includes reading industry-specific books, articles, or whitepapers, listening to podcasts, or learning via a mobile app. This learning type does not adhere to any set timeframe and the outcomes are dictated by the employee’s willingness to learn.
How Continuous Technical Skills Development Is Delivered
New continuous technical skills development methods are frequently introduced. However, the most common formats are online courses, in-person or remote workshops, and training courses that can be designed for a specific business type or industry. In this section, we will explore the benefits of some of the most popular delivery methods.
Online Courses/ Webinars
Webinars and online courses are an effective way of delivering information concisely, informing professionals about the latest development trends or emerging technologies. Most online courses and webinars encourage interaction, with participants able to direct questions at the hosts or engage with each other in ‘break out’ sessions, creating a more relaxed, conversational experience.
Attended remotely, online sessions offer more convenience and flexibility compared to other learning formats. Furthermore, webinars are often much more affordable for employers as employees do not need to take a full day off work.
Technical Workshops
Workshops, such as coding workshops which can introduce developers to the latest programming languages or development methodologies usually take place over a full day or several days. These group sessions are highly interactive and focus on practical learning, with participants completing exercises that are relevant to their role. In the tech industry, this form of learning is often the most suitable, allowing employees to learn new skills quickly.
Bespoke Training Programs
Bespoke training programs incorporate a range of learning formats and knowledge-sharing methods and are perfectly tailored for a specific business or industry to ensure employees get the most out of each session.
In an enterprise-level business, where devs are always encouraged to try new tools and techniques, training programs may be centered around cutting-edge automation solutions, containerization tools, data cloning techniques, or using a specialized LLM. Bespoke training programs can be highly focused – built around a single programming language and framework, or be more varied, covering a range of methodologies and software based on the needs of the business and its employees.
Maximizing Continuous Learning for Employee Satisfaction
Although the overall goal of continuous learning is to create a workforce that is better equipped to adapt to industry changes, it is also a vital tool in terms of employee satisfaction.
However, as a manager or HR professional, it is your job to ensure employees are getting the most out of their training. For example, if you notice a particular article or cheat sheet is being spread amongst employees, create a database and have the employees use a QR code scanner to access everything instantly.
Additionally, the use of collaboration platforms can make online seminars and webinars much more productive, allowing documents to be shared easily while giving participants a tool to stay engaged and interact throughout. This could include creating live quizzes or sharing coding examples that can be assessed and scrutinized in real time.
Conclusion
Continuous technical skills development is essential in developing employees and ensuring they are given the necessary tools to adapt to new trends and methodologies. This learning culture is also seen by HR professionals as a powerful employee retention tool, allowing employees to improve their skills and knowledge to advance their careers. Thus, playing its part in maintaining a satisfied and productive workforce.
Companies that fail to implement a continuous learning culture are likely to lose their developers a