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Continuous learning has a positive impact on business growth

Paulien Goditiabois in

In just about every company, an accelerated digital transformation has happened in recent months. Those who wanted to remain performant needed the right knowledge and skills. Continuous learning is more important than ever. This is true both for companies and for employees who, when choosing an employer, want sufficient opportunities to continue to develop. This is according NedWorks' new trend and wage report.

Continuous learning has a positive impact on business growth

Anyone starting a new job today can be sure that the range of tasks and required skills will change thoroughly. So it's not surprising that continuous learning is becoming increasingly important. Both for digital professionals who want the opportunity to develop themselves. But also for companies that would otherwise have to constantly attract new profiles.  

The new trend and wage report, for which NedWorks surveyed more than 300 digital professionals, confirms that companies are putting much more effort into Learning & Development these days. Three out of four respondents say that their employer gives them the opportunity to develop further. And half of them also feel that they gain relevant knowledge from it. The majority receive a budget that they can spend on training (60%) or access to tools that support self-learning (58%).

 

Digital transformation 

This positive trend in companies also corresponds to the expectations of employees. In their choice of an employer, candidates find three factors very important: the culture of the company, the role in the team (clarity about what that role entails and what is expected), and sufficient opportunities for training & development. As many as 60% of digital professionals in the survey cited at least one of these factors as a determining factor in their choice of job. If we look at the reasons why people leave a company, we see that besides financial motives (20%), personal growth and recognition (18%) and the company culture (15%) also stand out. 

 

"In a consumer-centric world where consumer behavior is changing rapidly, having the right skills on board and providing opportunities for people to develop further makes a difference."

Guy Gelaude Managing Director at NedWorks

Of course, in the context of the digital transformation that every sector is currently undergoing, it should come as no surprise that continuous learning is very important to both employers and employees. "Many companies implemented about two years of digital transformation in a three-month period last year. Companies had to pull out all the stops to remain performant and serve their customers. In a consumer-centric world where consumer behavior is changing rapidly, having the right skills on board and providing opportunities for people to develop further makes a difference. Although we should also emphasize that this process had already been ongoing for some time and corona has primarily proved to be a catalyst," says Guy Gelaude, Managing Director at NedWorks.

 

Continuous learning 

To be successful, continuous learning must be woven into the mindset of the entire company. "Employers must increasingly focus on the total employee experience and commit to a culture in which continuous learning is a key pillar. Culture is created with every experience you offer to employees. In all HR processes - from recruitment and performance to Learning & Development - your message needs to be addressed so that people feel connected," says Camille Meert, Chief People Officer at NedWorks. 

"If people can grow with the company, you don't have to recruit new talent as often. In addition, you also ensure that investments in recruiting people pay off longer."

Camille Meert Chief People Officer at NedWorks

For companies, this is an effective way to close the skills gap without having to constantly recruit new profiles. In addition, they run a lower risk of losing valuable knowledge and skills from the moment one person leaves the organization. "Often companies see recruitment as a process with a cost. But if people can grow with the company, you don't have to recruit new talent as often. In addition, you also ensure that investments in recruiting people pay off longer," says Camille Meert. 

"Continuous learning allows companies to attract talent and remain performant for the customers they want to serve. By investing in the right mindset and in people's skills, anyone can be the best version of themselves. And that will only become more important in the future if we want to remain successful as a company," concludes Guy Gelaude. 

 

Click here for an overview of all figures from the NedWorks trend and pay report.

 

 

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Paulien
Paulien
About the author

Paulien is Industry Business & Marketing Manager at NedWorks. Her goal is to inspire like-minded digital professionals and support people and organizations to achieve their true potential. 

 

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