How to encourage and develop staff

The Partnership believes that the most effective professional development is self-driven. However, everyone can benefit from the assistance of a third party and this is where employers can play a major role. Institutions can give support through general guidance and by offering services, especially where professional development schemes are approved as institution accredited, but employers are in a position to give more practical help on a day-to-day basis in identifying and assessing competences. Employers can help by;

• Identifying and prioritising competences or particular skills for development
• Identifying learning opportunities to maintain and enhance appropriate skills and competences
• Linking professional development into current appraisal systems
• Aligning professional development with the requirements of your business
• Providing, ‘planning and recording’ documents where such documents are already in used within the organisation, i.e. staff reports.
• Encouraging individuals to keep personal portfolios containing a development action plan and evidence of professional development
• Providing mentoring support through designated individuals, peer groups or through networking opportunities
• Provide opportunities for attendance at seminars and conferences thereby extending professional development

Providing a support network is essential for an employee’s development.
For more information, please go to Offering Support.