In 10 days Training magazine will reveal the ranking of their Training Top 125 winners for the learning industry awards. The winners consist of the organizations with the most successful learning and development programs in the world. Past winners include top organizations such as Keller Williams, Verizon, Jiffy Lube, farmers Insurance and more.
Training accepts all companies to apply for the Training Top 125, permitting that they are not training vendors. It distinguishes corporate training overall – not just single training programs. Selection of the application include Training Program/Scope, Tuition Reimbursement, Training Budget, Training infrastructure and Delivery, Evaluation/Metrics, and Human Resources.
The Training Top 125 Gala, where the winners are revealed, will take place in the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta, GA on February 12, 2018. (Source: Training Magazine)
What does this mean for professional development?
The Training Top 125 rankings reveal the organizations with the best and most successful learning and development programs globally. The top companies set a standard for how organizations should be operating their L&D programs. With the start of the new year, organizations will be looking to improve their L&D programs to match the winners' standards. This will lead to an increase in opportunities for individuals at various organizations to develop and grow professionally.
Professional Development Opportunities for Women in Indiana
Radius - a regional partnership representing eight counties in Southwest Central Indiana – located in Bedford Indiana, has launched the Women in Economic Development Leadership Initiative in southwest central Indiana. This initiative is aimed at is aimed at promoting professional development for women in Indiana and is being referred to as a first-of its-kind program.
The program is schedule to run through to the end of the year and will focus on topics such as business attraction, retention and expansion, quality of life initiatives, entrepreneurship, networking, and international business etiquette. Jeff Quyle, chief executive officer of Radius Indiana states, "We opened up the program to our region and surrounding counties and have nearly a dozen participants from eight counties representing local economic development, the utility sector, community development, chambers of commerce, marketing and telecommunications."
The purpose of the initiative is to give participants a "better sense of the industry" as well as a chance for networking opportunities. The director of communication and community development for the city of Huntingburg, Rachel Steckler, is participating in the program and says it will provide her as well as the other participants the opportunity to share best practices to sustain their communities and promote and enhance them. (Source: Inside Indiana Business With Gerry Dick)
What does this mean for professional development?
Women who live in Indiana will be provided with opportunities to develop professionally and grow in their careers. The open dialogue encouraged through the initiative will help lead to more professional development and networking opportunities for women in the region.
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Findings from CGS Survey Show Lack of L&D Programs for the Deskless Worker Population
The global provider of business applications, enterprise learning and outsourcing services, CGS, recently revealed the findings from its 2018 Learning and Development Survey. The survey was done on more than 500 U.S. deskless workers. Deskless workers refer to individuals who do much of their work with a mobile device rather than a lab top computer - nurses, engineers, construction workers, etc. The survey provides proof that employers must give priority to learning and development programs if they want to draw in, engage and retain these specific type of workers.
Key findings of the survey include:
Regular performance feedback is falling short in organizations
Over 25% of workers surveyed are not receiving any performance feedback from their employers and 51% are only gaining feedback 4 or less times a year. In deskless professions business requirements, certifications, technology and work assignments are continuingly changing. Due to this organizations need to make continuous feedback programs a priority.
Instructor-led sessions are still the preferred choice for most generations
37% of deskless workers claim that instructor-led training is the most beneficial format for learning.
Deskless workers are not being shaped into leaders by their organizations
Just 25% of individuals said that their employers have L&D programs in place to develop leadership skills. To retain talent, it is crucial that organizations offer interactive and collaborative leadership training. This is particularly true for industries with high turnover rates such as retail and hospitality. (Source: CGS)
What does this mean for professional development?
According to Doug Stephen,SVP, Learning division, at CGS, “The deskless workforce is a crucial part of our economy and requires equal opportunities for learning and development in their respective fields.” Due to this survey's findings, deskless employees should start to see a rise in training and professional development opportunities.