Feature:Workforce Development


A holistic approach to workforce development


Workforce development is gaining in traction with organisations across the business spectrum understanding the benefits – and necessities – of developing both their future and current workforce. And the notion of workforce development is now a


lot more comprehensive and widely acknowledged than the standard idea of employees, often younger workers, going on one-day training courses. Now, more so than ever, it refers to collaboration


between education providers and business – not just in terms of apprentices and graduates but with regards to working together to ensure the workforce of tomorrow have the right skills, knowledge and understanding to fulfil the roles businesses require. It’s also a case of harnessing employee loyalty and


offering mutually-beneficial opportunities for employees at all stages of their careers and at all levels of an organisation to develop – from casual workers to CEOs, apprentices to those approaching retirement. So in 2019 and beyond, the business community, in


most circumstances, is likely to take a holistic approach to workforce development. Why is such an approach so important? In a piece


written by Dr Siobhan Neary, Associate Professor and Head of the International Centre for Guidance Studies (iCeGS), University of Derby, for the Chamber’s Business Network magazine, she argues that workforce development needs to start before an employee joins a company’s payroll. “Employers can provide insider knowledge for young


people, teachers and schools about what the world of work is like, what they are looking for in new recruits, offer industry-focused projects and opportunities for young people, work experience, internships for students, externships for teachers, mentoring, coaching, access to employees, part time work etc,” she argues. “Employers benefit through potentially creating


pipelines of new workers wanting to join them when they leave school, closer links with the local community, build their knowledge and understanding of young people so that age/culture clashes can be avoided in the workplace, provide opportunities for staff development, corporate social responsibility; the list goes on. “It is only through investing time and resource now


that we can ensure that productivity will increase, skills mismatches in the labour market will decrease and that we can ‘home grow’ the talent that is required to meet our economic needs into future decades.” So developing young people can help create work-


ready employees and potentially address longstanding issues such as skills gaps but from a business’s


perspective, how can you ensure these ready-for-work employees remain motivated, enthusiastic and, importantly, are performing at a high level at your business and not a competitor’s? That’s where the evolving journey surrounding


workforce development comes in. In an age where there is rightly great emphasis


placed on equality in the workforce and at a time when people are working longer – meaning a greater number of demographics in the workplace – and with the competition for able, talented employees fierce, there has arguably never been a more important time to invest (not just financially) in your staff. While there are many column inches and books


dedicated to the merits of workforce development, simplistically it boils down to one thing - ultimately, happy employees are productive employees. Katie Ash, Director and Head of Employment Law at


Banner Jones Solicitors, commented in a recent piece for Business Network: “Research by the University of Warwick found happiness in the workplace led to a 12% spike in productivity, while unhappy workers proved ten per cent less productive. “Ensuring your employees feel motivated,


appreciated and engaged will be reflected in their attendance, presenteeism and productivity. Encouraging them to feel appreciated, valued and respected is likely to secure their commitment to the work they are doing and who they are doing it for. “Offering opportunities for development, whether a


new qualification or acquiring new skills, shows the company fosters a culture that encourages individual growth. This desire to invest in the employee’s future contributes to employees feeling valued.” And it’s increasingly clear that all these important


buzz words – motivation, happiness, productivity, engagement, loyalty… they can all be addressed and enhanced through a solid, comprehensive and strategic workforce development plan that starts at school pupils, finishes at those approaching retirement and includes everyone in between.


East Midlands Chamber (Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire) is a respected and experienced provider of a comprehensive range of workforce development courses and programmes. For more information, visit www.emc-dnl.co.uk/developing-skills.


East Midlands Chamber Directory 2019 49


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