Each year, during the first week of December, the Association for Talent Development, the world’s largest learning association dedicated to empowering professionals to develop knowledge and skills, celebrates workplace learning through its annual campaign, Employee Learning Week. This year's theme, “Workforce Development is Everyone’s Business”, truly resonates.
Making workforce development everyone’s business requires focus and dedication, with individuals at all levels in an organization making it a priority. Here are some perspectives to consider organization wide.
Organizational Leadership – Commitment to workforce development must come from the top of the organization. Senior Leaders are encouraged to create the conditions for learning and growth by placing importance on professional and career development. This includes providing time and resources for employees to engage in developmental opportunities. Georgia Tech offers many options for learning to include online courses, classroom instruction, developmental/experiential programming, and financial resources like TAP and STRAP. Additional considerations can include conference attendance, job shadowing, cross-training, stretch assignments/special projects, podcasts, library books/resources, volunteer opportunities, etc. For links to resources and opportunities in a variety of categories, check out the Campus Learning Directory.
People-Leaders– Individuals with direct reports are in a great position to assist employees with identifying learning and development opportunities to meet their needs and help them create learning plans. As part of performance development conversations, managers can encourage engagement and make connections to relevant learning opportunities that can build skill and position colleagues well to support their personal growth and support the mission of the organization. Check out the information shared during Employee Learning Week last year regarding the development of a Learning Plan.
Individuals – While leadership support is imperative to create and implement a culture of learning, it is up to the individual to determine what learning and development opportunities are right for them. Learning happens in many ways, not everyone learns best from in-person, classroom environments. They may prefer online learning they can participate in on their own schedule or are more engaged through reading or listening to podcasts. Sometimes, more informal learning, like job sharing or shadowing helps build the desired skills. Participating in communities of practice like Employee Resource Groups or professional associations can also be beneficial. Earning a degree may not be for everyone but seeking out certificates/certifications/diplomas through more formalized education may be an approach to consider.
It takes everyone working together to create a culture that values and embraces learning and development within the Institute. With strong leadership paving the way, individuals have the opportunity to grow and give back to Georgia Tech through improved skills to advance their work. Through Progress and Service we can develop ourselves to advance technology and improve the human condition. Workforce development is everyone’s business.
During Employee Learning Week 2023 there are a multitude of learning opportunities occurring. See if one of them is right for you.
Get Your Idea Out There! Writing for Higher Ed Media
12/4/23
3:00-4:00pm
Crosland 7130
Navigating Conflict & Challenging Conversations
12/4/23
1:00-3:30pm
GLC 149
D&I Workshop: Implicit Bias and Search Committees
12/4/23
1:00-2:30pm
Virtual
12/5/23
9:00am-12:30pm
GLC 149
12/5/23
11:30am-11:15pm
Virtual
Supporting Student Wellbeing with Canvas
12/6/23
10:00-11:00am
CULC 102
12/7/23
9:00-11:30am
GLC 149
Performance Management @Tech | Self-Assessment Demo
12/7/23
10:00-10:30am
Virtual
Performance Management @Tech | Self-Assessment Demo - For Supervisors
12/7/23
2:00-2:30pm
Virtual
D&I Workshop: Addressing Microaggressions
12/7/23
10:00-11:30am
Virtual
12/7/23
1:30-2:30pm
John Lewis Student Center Northside Room
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