If you thought your days of studying ended when you stepped on the career ladder, think again! In Trinidad and Tobago top companies want employees to engage in Continuing Professional Development (CPD) or at least enhance their knowledge by taking on extra training. Although adding this to a full-time job means a lot of extra work, it does have a long list of benefits and helps separate you from the rest of the pack. Read on to learn more.
How training and development help you in your career?
The Importance & Benefits of Training
Much has been written about the benefits of training employees from the perspective of business. It tends to reduce staff turnover and is a worthy investment in the long run. But why should you embark on additional training?
- IMPRESS YOUR EMPLOYER
Showing the initiative to include extra training on top of your work will seriously impress your employer. They like working with people who are aware of their strengths and weaknesses and are willing to improve the latter. Incidentally, if an employer sends you on a training course, it is an excellent sign! It proves that they believe you are worth investing in.
- RETAIN CREDIBILITY
In some professions, CPD is mandatory or else you risk falling behind the leaders in your industry. When you get to the top of the ladder, failure to keep up to date with the latest happenings in your field could cause you to lose credibility.
- SPECIALIZATION
The extra knowledge you gain not only prepares you for more responsible roles that arise in the future, but it also gives you the option to specialize in a specific area. It’s a fact that most career progression comes to a grinding halt if you can’t apply yourself to a particular area. While general knowledge in your field will get you so far, specialization is the key to promotion and better-paid jobs.
- CAREER CHANGE
You may reach a stage where you no longer want to work in your existing industry. Without extra training, you’re starting from square one which means lower pay and a long road back to the top. Most professionals will tell you that a career change is more likely to happen later in life when more surprises await.
When you take on extra training, you gain transferable skills. This enables you to almost seamlessly enter a new industry without being forced to return to entry level.
How to start to get trained and develop your career?
Identify Your Areas of Opportunity & Follow Your Interests
You won’t derive much benefit from training if you adopt a scattergun approach to CPD. Begin by identifying the areas of your job that are the most difficult or the parts of your role you’re keen to improve. It’s a good idea to check out past performance reviews or speak to colleagues, your manager or the HR department within your organization. If there is a co-worker, who has the kind of skills and career you would like to emulate, speak to them to find out how they embarked on their current career path.
Once you have identified the relevant areas, find out how you can improve them. You’ll probably find that you have to go on a course or participate in a workshop. Other learning options include taking an online course or benefiting from mentoring.
For example, if your negotiation skills aren’t up to scratch in a role where they are of paramount importance, ask your manager for assistance. Perhaps they can allow you to shadow an experienced professional with exceptional negotiation skills so you can learn a few tricks.
Types of Training
The increase in the importance of CPD means employees in Trinidad and Tobago have a wide range of training options.
- CASE STUDY
You are presented with a practical case report and are expected to analyze it. While some of the reports are simulations, others are real-life cases. You’re encouraged to think independently, and the practical nature of this assignment means it is very useful regarding career development.
- ROLE PLAYING
This involves playing a certain role where you act out a scenario under the guidance of a facilitator. Although the situation is fake, the interpersonal connections are real. It’s an especially effective training method for management training and marketing.
- COMPUTER BASED TRAINING (CBT)
CBT involves computers as the main training medium, and the training programs provide students with instructional materials which they use to learn more. The benefit of CBT is that it allows students to learn at their own pace which makes it ideal when used in conjunction with a full-time job.
- APPRENTICESHIPS/INTERNSHIPS
In an apprenticeship, you work with a more experienced person to ‘learn the ropes.’ In an internship, you combine on-the-job training with classroom learning.
- CONTINUING PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT (CPD)
CPD is compulsory in some roles and involves following a unique learning curriculum which helps you gain knowledge and skills that employers want in your industry.
- JOB ROTATION
This involves moving through a series of jobs as a means of understanding the requirements of each one. It is a feature of smaller enterprises where specialization is seen less than in major corporations.
BECOME A VALUABLE EMPLOYEE
Embarking on educational and training programs help you gain a better understanding of your company and industry and marks you out as a valuable employee. It facilitates career progression as it enables you to specialize in key areas; the rewards include better promotion opportunities, your pick of jobs in Trinidad and of course, an improved salary!
