5 Concepts Driving Workplace Learning

There is a direct link between training and workplace learning and an organization's performance.

Many managers fear that newly acquired credentials may cause employees to look to greener pastures, but the opposite is often true. Employees feel a greater loyalty to an organization that has invested time, money and resources into funding learning opportunities.

Companies, at the same time, reap the benefits of having qualified, empowered employees.

Take a look at the five concepts driving workplace learning opportunities today:

1. Changing Landscapes Require New Skills
Managers may feel like they've developed whiplash simply from trying to keep up with how quickly new trends emerge. Everything from software to protocol seems to become outdated before being fully implemented at the department level. Education is vulnerable to this same phenomenon. A professional degree earned 10 or 20 years ago can seem outdated by today's standards. It is essential that workers are given opportunities -- and encouraged -- to update credentials and learn the latest ways of doing things.

2. Learning Breeds Confidence
Feelings of insecurity among employees can lead to resistance to change. Employees may become defensive if they fear incompetence with technology or other modern concepts will be discovered. A trained team is a more confident team. Workers are more willing to innovate and take chances with new concepts and interdepartmental conflicts will lessen in situations where everyone has received proper training.

3. Some Uniformity Creates Cooperation
Company-wide training efforts can create a more efficient organization from the bottom up. Many of the most successful organizations and institutions invest in training that gets every staff member on the same wavelength. It is amazing how much more efficiently day-to-day operations can run once every employee has a basic reference point on procedures and practices, the use of programs, and how to approach problems.

4. Growth Creates Bigger Ideas
Training is a great way to foster an environment of growth and innovation at every level. One of the big advantages of offering training is that it allows employees from different departments to collaborate more effectively. Sometimes a common skill set or procedural language can be the missing link that facilitates collaboration and innovation between multiple departments.

5. Education Builds Credibility

While there are many internal benefits of having an educated workforce, external benefits are also significant. Prestige is attached to having a high number of employees with degrees and credentials; such titles place an organization in a flattering light to clients and the general public. Having a properly trained and credentialed staff can give an organization an edge over competitors.