Jaqquline Lawrie, 20 May, 2024
Are you interested in upskilling and pursuing a professional development course but unsure how to get your employer's support? Having those discussions can seem daunting, but it doesn't need to be.
Before approaching your employer, it's important to have a clear understanding of what you're asking for, as well as a well-thought-out strategy in place to support this. In this article, we'll go through the steps you should take to help seek your employer's support for professional development.
1. Explore your company's professional development opportunities
First, knowing what professional development opportunities are available at your organisation is important. Check if there's an annual budget for professional development per person or if your company has a formal professional development program. This information can usually be found in your policy and procedure documents or enterprise agreements.
If you're unable to find this information, consider looking into this internally by asking your coworkers if they've engaged in professional development before and can provide more information.
76% of employees are looking for opportunities to expand their careers. ¹
2. Find the right course to advance your career
Once you know what your organisation offers, it's time to research. Professional development offers the opportunity to grow in your profession and advance your career, so finding the right course is essential. Start by looking for short courses, microcredentials or masterclasses relevant to your industry and profession. These can help you extend your current skillset, acquire new skills, and become more multidisciplined.
Delve into our professional development offerings, with dozens of business short courses, microcredentials, and masterclasses on offer. This is a great tool for selecting the right professional development course and a helpful place to start if you're unsure of your next steps.
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3. Craft a compelling pitch
Crafting a compelling pitch is the next step. After exploring your organisation’s professional development opportunities and choosing a course, it’s now time to demonstrate to your employer how this will benefit both you and your organisation. Some examples of this may include:
Continuous learning helps you and your organisation stay relevant and ahead of industry trends.
Prioritising ongoing professional development and consistently updating your skills keeps you up to date with the latest industry trends and advancements. Lifelong learners gain a competitive edge for both themselves and the organisations they work for.
By actively pursuing relevant professional development, you'll be equipped to apply new knowledge directly to your organisation, resulting in an improved work quality that aligns with the latest practices.
According to QUT’s Professional and Executive Education Program Services Coordinator, Anthony Ducat-Ernst, “Engaging in professional development keeps individuals relevant and up to date by expanding knowledge through learning opportunities, enhancing skills to meet industry demands, boosting career prospects by showing commitment and fostering innovation and creativity.
“In essence, it's a proactive approach to staying competitive and thriving in a dynamic professional environment.”
QUT offers courses co-designed with industry and government partners to prepare individuals for the future workforce. These courses are constantly adapted to meet current industry expectations. New course themes include artificial intelligence, data-driven brand strategy, and the circular economy.
Companies that invest in professional development are more profitable.
Investing in professional development isn't just a good idea - it's a recipe for success. The benefits extend well beyond one's personal growth.
Employees who gain new skills and knowledge bring fresh perspectives and innovative ideas to the table, creating a positive ripple effect throughout the workplace. Sharing knowledge becomes a catalyst for both personal and collective growth.
When asked how professional development contributes to exceptional business outcomes, Anthony highlighted its many benefits, stating, “Professional development helps businesses by improving employee skills and effectiveness, boosting engagement and retention, increasing productivity and efficiency, enhancing the company's reputation, and developing future leaders.
“Professional development creates a more skilled, engaged, and adaptable workforce.”
According to the Association for Talent Development (ATD), companies that invest in comprehensive training programs have a 218% higher income per employee than those lacking formal training. Moreover, these companies enjoy a 24% higher profit margin than their counterparts who invest less in training.²
Professional development moulds future leaders.
Great leaders are made, not born. While a person may have natural leadership abilities, great leaders are created through lifelong learning and hands-on experience.
For managers aspiring to become confident and capable leaders, professional development may be the answer. Professional development allows individuals to develop the confidence, frameworks, and capability needed to thrive in complex environments and lead successful business outcomes.
Scientific studies indicate that leadership is 30% genetic and 70% learned.³
Leadership plays a pivotal role in improving workplaces, too. While managers focus on managing, leaders inspire and guide. Effective leadership enhances workplace productivity and motivates employees to achieve better results. A motivated workplace leads to higher morale and satisfaction, ultimately contributing to the overall success of any organisation.
Echoing this sentiment, Anthony emphasises, “Workplaces thrive when individuals actively pursue professional development in leadership roles by fostering a culture of innovation, empowering teams, nurturing talent, and driving continuous improvement, ultimately leading to increased productivity and organisational success.”
QUT offers a variety of leadership short courses and professional development for individuals looking to expand their leadership capabilities and skills. Click here to view our leadership catalogue.
In addition to recognising the benefits this course offers you and your organisation, it's also essential to consider the reputation of the professional development institution, how soon you can utilise your new skills in your current role, and your strategy for balancing work and study.
Once you've finished researching and crafting your pitch, you’ll be prepared to meet with your manager and discuss employer support for your professional development. Best of luck!
If you have come across a course during this process and have additional questions or need more information, please don't hesitate to reach out to our friendly team online or call (07) 3138 7733.
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[1] 35 Key employee training and development statistics [2023]: data + trends. Retrieved on 11 April 2024. From: https://www.zippia.com/employer/employee-training-development-statistics/
[2] Profiting From Learning: Do Firms’ Investments in Education and Training Pay Off?. Retrieved on 12 April 2024. From: https://businesstrainingexperts.com/knowledge-center/training-roi/profiting-from-learning/
[3] Are leaders born or made? New study shows how leadership develops. Retrieved on 12 April 2024. From: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/10/141006133228.htm
