Professional Development Investments Should be Priority for Employers

Andrea M. Pearman

One of the most notable leading figures of American history, Benjamin Franklin, is credited with saying, “Investing in knowledge pays the best interest.”

Applying those wise words to company culture is no different. Professional development plays an important role in the growth and stability of any business, regardless of its size or industry. Those who invest in their employees and in themselves will reap the most benefits.

Employers who capitalize on the advantages of professional development will see a host of benefits. When employees feel supported and valued, engagement increases. This leads to higher retention rates and increased productivity. Companies that have a reputation for fostering continuous career development attract top candidates. And research suggests that organizations that value learning opportunities are 92% more likely to innovate.

For employees, professional development opportunities, such as workshops, conferences, and certification programs, are essential in effectively achieving career goals. According to a LinkedIn study, only one out of every five employees has the confidence to make an internal move. Those who arm themselves with the tools to develop new skills, overcome obstacles, and, perhaps most importantly, gain the confidence to move forward, are positioning themselves for professional advancement.

Heeding the Call

Professional development opportunities benefit all employees, but they are especially important in fostering a more inclusive workplace culture for minority groups like people of color and women.

Two engaging conferences highlighting career development specifically for women were recently held in Indiana. The Professional Women’s Conference (PWC) in Michigan City was presented by the Northwest Indiana Influential Women Association (NWIIIWA). The Indiana Conference for Women in Indianapolis, now in its 13^th year, featured speakers who delivered inspiring messages of growth, including a keynote address from television personality and actress Valerie Bertinelli.

PWC was well-received by area professionals after the event had laid dormant for eight years. The conference, which drew over 400 attendees, was a response to the urging of company leaders who were looking for additional avenues for professional development opportunities.

Joyce Rogers, Indiana University Foundation and chair of the Indiana Conference for Women, said it is imperative that employers get behind professional development opportunities like conferences to support, strengthen and continue to mobilize women leaders so that they can continue to grow in their careers and grow their professional networks.

“The women are so captivated by the exposure and what they are learning,” said Rogers. “It makes all of our communities, our businesses, everybody wins when we do that.”

Professional development conferences are crucial in delivering topics about career advancement that women may not be exposed to in their day-to-day grind at work. Melissa Loring, who attended the conference in Indianapolis, said she gained valuable insights from the speakers who touched on lessons pertinent to where she is in her career as a human resource business partner with Venture Logistics in Shelbyville.

“I have been doing this for 23 years, and I am at that pivotal spot in my career where I really know that I am ready to push and do more. They really spoke to that,” she said. “It is an awesome thing for us to be supporting each other because it is very empowering.”