Employee development plan - what is it and how to create it?

Learn how to create an employee development plan—a strategic roadmap for career growth. Boost your skills and achieve success with WeWork's supportive resources.

Employee development plan - what is it and how to create it?

If you are wondering how to boost your career or help your team grow, you are in the right place. An employee development plan is like a GPS for professional growth. It helps you chart a course for acquiring new skills and reaching career milestones. At WeWork, we understand that investing in employee growth is important for both individual and organisational success.

So, lin this guide, we will understand more about employee development plan or employee growth plan, why it is important, and how to create a development plan for employees.

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What is an employee development plan?

An employee development plan in simple terms is a career roadmap. It is a personalised guide to help employees enhance their skills and move up in their careers. Keep in mind - an employee development plan is not just a checklist of tasks but a strategic plan that aligns with both the employee’s goals and the company’s objectives. The plan usually includes specific objectives and actions to help the employee improve and advance in their role.

Why is an employee development plan important?

An employee development plan is important for many reasons. The most significant ones are:

• Helps in skill enhancement and allows employees to acquire new skills and improve existing ones.
• Facilitate career advancement by providing a clear path for career growth and promotions.
• Allows employees to feel valued and motivated when their development is supported.
• For better performance with improved skills.
• It helps prepare employees for future roles and responsibilities.

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How to create an employee development plan

Here are the steps on how to create a development plan for employees:

Step 1: Identify goals

The first step in crafting an employee growth plan is to identify the goals. What does the employee want to achieve? Sit down with the employee and have an open chat about their career aspirations and how these align with the company’s needs. These goals could be related to acquiring new skills or improving performance in specific areas.

2. Assess current skills

Before setting off on this journey, take a moment to assess where the employee stands currently. What skills do they already have? What areas need improvement? This assessment can be done through performance reviews or feedback sessions.

3. Set SMART goals

Set specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART) goals. For example, if the employee wants to improve their leadership skills, a SMART goal might be to complete a leadership training program.

4. Plan the steps

With goals in place, now plan the steps needed to reach them. This might include attending workshops, working on specific projects, or finding a mentor. At WeWork, we provide the necessary resources and support like networking events, workshops, etc. to help employees follow their development plans. Moreover, our activity-based flexible workspaces also help employees maximise their productivity.

5. Keep an eye on progress

An employee growth plan or development plan is not a one-time deal. So, regularly check in to see how things are going. Have one-on-one meetings, give feedback, and make adjustments if needed.

6. Review and Update

Review the plan periodically and update it as necessary. As the employee achieves their goals, set new ones to ensure ongoing development.

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Conclusion

Now that you know what is an employee development plan and how to create an employee development plan, you understand that an employee development plan is quite important to nurturing professional growth.

That’s why, at WeWork, we offer not just inspiring workspaces but also a work environment that encourages development and innovation. Irrespective of what you are looking for, WeWork’s flexible workspaces and supportive community are designed to help you thrive.