The way people feel about work and their careers continues to evolve. Employees are increasingly thoughtful about where they invest their time and energy, and businesses that do not keep pace with those expectations risk losing their best people. Understanding what employees value — and acting on it — has become one of the most important priorities for employers.
Research consistently shows that a significant proportion of employed adults are open to new opportunities at any given time. Studies by Randstad UK have highlighted that large numbers of workers feel confident about moving to a new role, driven by a desire for better career prospects, greater flexibility, and a stronger sense of purpose in their work. In a competitive jobs market, retention is no longer something businesses can afford to leave to chance.
What Does This Mean for Employers
It is an employee's market, and the importance of retention cannot be ignored. There are multiple things people value in a job — ranging from salary and flexible working opportunities to company values, perks, and additional annual leave — but one of the main factors is career development and progression.
Research indicates that around 70% of employed adults value progression and development highly in their jobs, with long-term development opportunities being a significant consideration when applying for a role. Employers who invest in their people's growth are demonstrably better placed to retain them.
Why is Training and Development Important
Having a defined development plan in place for employees is a great motivational driver to strive for a promotion, improve in their role, and visualise their future within the company. Employees who receive structured development become more engaged and fulfilled — able to pursue specific talents and areas of interest. Increased confidence and job satisfaction can also lead to new ideas and ways to innovate in their role.
What if You Train Your Staff and They Leave
The real question is: what if they leave due to a lack of training opportunities? Some businesses are hesitant to invest in employees as they think their efforts may be wasted if those employees move on. But training and development is actually more likely to lead employees to stay, as they feel valued, challenged, and successful in their current role.
The benefits do not stop with the employee either — training can help the business as a whole. More motivated and knowledgeable employees perform better. A sales qualification, for example, could teach tactics and skills that help a salesperson hit or even exceed their targets.
What Training and Development Opportunities Are Available
Development opportunities could include relevant professional qualifications, apprenticeships, and online courses. Professional Academy offers a range of training options including:
Professional Qualifications
Apprenticeships
- Sales Apprenticeships
- Marketing and Digital Marketing Apprenticeships
- Business Administration Apprenticeship
For employees who are open to new opportunities, providing ways for them to develop within your business could be the key to retaining them. Research suggests that almost a fifth of active job seekers say that increased training and development opportunities would make them more likely to stay with their current employer.
As Randstad research has demonstrated, employers can help retain staff by ensuring people feel valued by their manager, that the culture fosters a sense of belonging, and that employees have a clear sense of advancement within the organisation. Research indicates that employees value these factors more highly than many employers realise.
How Professional Academy Supports Your Journey
Professional Academy works with businesses of all sizes to identify the right training and development solutions for their teams. Whether through accredited professional qualifications or fully funded apprenticeship programmes, there is an option to suit every organisation and every individual.
To find out more about which options are best suited to your business and staff, get in touch with the team or book an advice call at a time to suit you.
