Further Professional Development Ideas to celebrate Career & Workforce Development Month and throughout the year!

Employee Professional Learning Group (EPLG)

Exploring new skills and interests is a great way to get employees to think about their career journey. They can think about what they might like to do in the future. In the process, they often discover new career paths they may not have thought of.

Employee professional learning groups are special interest groups made up of employees who share a characteristic, goal or interest. Groups are always employee-led, and participation is voluntary. 

Employee professional learning groups let employees take part in continuous learning. Participants in the group often ask mentors with experience to help them learn the skills they need to succeed in their desired careers. These groups have the added benefit of helping employees with shared interests connect on a deeper level. They feel a sense of belonging and inclusion when they are not alone in pursuing their career goals.

Possibilities include lunch and learn sessions, educational happy hours, field trips to other organizations of employee interest, etc.

These event ideas are great for getting people interested and helping employees explore new career pathways. They also connect employees to new causes that can motivate them to move toward their dreams.‍

Build professional relationships

There is an age-old saying about career development: "It's not what you know, it's who you know." Skills and knowledge are important parts of helping employees move into their target roles. Helping workers build professional relationships with other people in their field is equally important so they:

• Understand what skills make them competitive in today's job market.
• Get mentorship from current professionals in their target role.
• Enhance workplace culture by building community with their colleagues.
• Increase their visibility to managers and members of senior leadership.

They might also find the support they need on the path to meeting their goals. Building relationships is an important part of developing strong communication and conflict resolution skills & overall personal growth.

Organize Networking Events

Networking is a powerful tool for career development, offering employees the chance to connect with industry professionals and peers. Building a strong professional network can open doors to new opportunities, provide valuable insights, and foster collaborations to drive career growth. Here are some types of networking events that you can plan:

• Luncheons: Casual midday gatherings where employees can share ideas and build relationships in a relaxed setting.
• Mixers: Informal evening events encouraging socializing and networking among employees and industry professionals.
• Speed networking sessions: Structured events where participants have brief, timed interactions with different people, maximizing the number of connections made.
• Panel discussions and Q&A sessions: Events featuring industry experts who share their experiences and answer questions from the audience.
• Industry meetups: Gatherings focused on specific industries or professional fields, allowing for targeted networking and discussions.
• Mentorship meet-and-greet: Events that connect employees with potential mentors within or outside the organization.

To ensure lasting connections, encourage meaningful interactions and follow-ups during these events. Provide guidance on initiating conversations, exchanging contact information, and maintaining relationships beyond the initial meeting.

Encourage Casual Career Conversations

Fostering ongoing career development through casual conversations can significantly impact employee growth and satisfaction. These informal discussions provide a comfortable setting for employees to share their career aspirations, seek advice, and receive feedback without the pressure of formal meetings.

Encouraging regular, casual career conversations helps create an open and supportive workplace culture. 

• Meet the CEO Programs through Coffee Lottery: Employees can have the opportunity to connect with senior leaders, gaining insights and guidance from top executives.
• Coffee/Tea Conversations: Promote meaningful conversations with thought-provoking questions designed to spark career-related discussions.
• Random Coffee Chats: Facilitate spontaneous connections between employees across different departments, fostering a sense of community and collaboration.
• Themed Discussion Groups: Organize virtual coffee chats focused on specific topics, such as career development, industry trends, or skill-building.

Provide Access to Online Learning Platforms

Encourage employees to work on their professional learning plans. Online learning platforms allow employees to learn at their own pace and on their own schedule, making it easier to balance work and personal commitments. With a wide range of courses available, employees can find programs that match their career goals and interests, from professional certifications to advanced degree programs.

Here are just some online learning platforms you can use for this program:

• Coursera: Offers courses, certifications, and degree programs from top universities and companies worldwide.
• edX: Provides access to various professional courses and degree programs from leading educational institutions.
• LinkedIn Learning: Features a vast library of professional development courses in business, technology, and creative skills.
• Udemy: Offers a diverse range of courses on diverse topics, including business, technology, and personal development.
• Skillshare: Focuses on creative and practical skills with classes taught by industry professionals.
• Khan Academy: Provides free courses and resources for foundational and advanced learning in various subjects.

To incentivize participation, consider covering the course fees for employees or offering completion bonuses for those who successfully finish their chosen programs. Additionally, you could recognize and celebrate employees' achievements in online learning during team meetings or company-wide events. 

Create an Internal Job Shadowing Program

Job shadowing is a practical way for employees to gain firsthand insights into different organizational roles. Employees can observe daily tasks, understand job responsibilities, and get a feel for different careers by spending time with colleagues in various positions. This experience broadens their knowledge of the company and helps them identify potential career interests and development opportunities.

Here are some important points to remember to set up a job shadowing program successfully:

• Selecting Roles: Choose various roles across different departments to provide comprehensive exposure to various organizational functions.
• Pairing Employees: Match employees with roles that align with their career interests and goals to ensure a meaningful and relevant experience.
• Defining Objectives: Set clear objectives for the job shadowing experience, outlining what the employee should learn and achieve during the process.
• Scheduling: Arrange job shadowing sessions at times that are convenient for both the shadowing employee and the host, ensuring minimal disruption to regular workflows.
• Providing Guidance: Offer guidelines and tips to both the shadowing employee and the host to maximize the learning experience and encourage effective interaction.

Job shadowing plays a crucial role in career exploration and internal mobility. It allows employees to explore different career paths within the organization, helping them make informed decisions about their career development and opening up opportunities for lateral moves or promotions, hence increasing retention of talent.

Recognize and Celebrate Achievements

Recognizing and celebrating employees' career milestones and achievements is vital for maintaining a motivated and engaged workforce. Acknowledging hard work and accomplishments boosts morale and reinforces a culture of appreciation and recognition. 

While it's important to celebrate achievements regularly throughout the year, Manitoba Career Development Month offers a unique opportunity to elevate your recognition efforts and show employees that their growth and success are valued.

Consider adding Staff Recognition Program:

• Awards: Create specific awards for career development achievements, such as "Most Improved" or "Leadership Excellence."
• Certificates: Provide personalized certificates to recognize milestones like completing a professional course or achieving a new certification.
• Public Acknowledgments: Highlight employees' achievements in company newsletters, on social media, or during team meetings.
• Celebratory Events: Host events such as luncheons or happy hours to collectively celebrate career milestones and achievements.
• Personalized Notes: Send handwritten notes or personalized emails from senior leaders to acknowledge individual accomplishments.

Create a platform for employees to share their career success stories. This can be an internal blog, a dedicated section in the company newsletter, or a special segment during team meetings. 

Encouraging employees to share their journeys fosters a sense of pride and accomplishment and inspires others to pursue their career development goals. Organizations can create a positive and motivating work environment by celebrating achievements in diverse and meaningful ways.