Learning at Work Week: The Importance of Creating a Culture of Learning
Learning at Work Week (LAWW) is all about highlighting the benefits of having an organisational culture of learning. This year's LAWW theme is ‘Made for Learning,’ focusing on the innate human curiosity that drives our desire to learn. Encouraging continual learning and development for your employees is not only good for them but good for business! The most commonly discussed benefits of having a workplace environment conducive to learning are:
Lower rates of staff turnover
Higher staff morale and resilience
Ensures staff have up-to-date skills and qualifications
Enhances workplace communication
The first two points are intrinsically linked, motivated staff with high morale are far less likely to leave a business. In fact, organisations that promote a culture of learning don't just lose staff less frequently, they retain them for longer.
Ensuring staff have relevant skills is a growing concern for employers. The rate that the economy is changing in response to technology means that even recent graduates are finding that their skills are soon outdated. This is particularly true of technical sectors like IT but as the economy modernises even sectors that aren’t traditionally digital are becoming increasingly reliant on digital skills to remain competitive.
Personnel Checks are strong advocates for both Continuous Professional Development and apprenticeships. In honour of LAWW, we sat down with some of our team to discuss why learning at work is important for them.
Kev - Sales Team Leader
I never really understood how essay writing and sitting exams were going to contribute to my skill set and ultimately my career, so the university route never really held much appeal. Doing an apprenticeship, I got all the benefits of academic learning through my college work, I’m also confident that I can be an industry expert before a lot of my friends have finished studying at uni.
I’ve been fortunate enough to work alongside some of the senior leaders in the business and developed skills that can only be gained from experience. I’ve never felt that my learning has been compromised and my success is all down to the culture of learning that I’m lucky enough to enjoy at work.
My apprenticeship at Personnel Checks has enabled me to have a structured plan for both my professional and personal development. I initially completed a Level 3 Business Administration course but as my role has developed, I have also completed courses in leadership and team skills. The investment I’ve had has motivated me not only to work but to continuously seek new sources of learning for self-improvement.
Libby - Customer Service Operative
I recently completed a Level 2 Customer Service course through Personnel Checks. I’ve always felt that I learn best by doing which is why I wanted to do an apprenticeship. You have all the benefits of doing a college course and gaining a qualification, but you can also gain experience that can’t be found out of the workplace. I think choosing an apprenticeship over university was the best path for me to kickstart my career.
The soft skills I’ve developed are going to benefit me loads throughout my career and I just wouldn’t have them if I’d chosen another career path. Now that I’ve completed my apprenticeship, we’re looking at next steps and I’m hoping to be accepted onto a chartered management degree course in September. None of this would be possible if there wasn’t a supportive culture of learning in the office. I would 100% recommend an apprenticeship to anyone who’s undecided about it.
Lauren - Digital Marketing Executive
I completed a Level 3 Junior Content Producer apprenticeship with The Juice Academy, whilst working at Personnel Checks. Being able to contextualise what I was learning about at college in my day-to-day role was a real boost for my learning. On the flip side, taking the time out from work to attend college sessions exposed me to things that I wouldn’t have otherwise learnt on the job. This meant I had the best of both worlds.
I attended sessions every fortnight and there was never any drama about fitting this in with my work responsibilities. The added benefit of networking with industry specialists through college networks I’m sure will pay off further in my career. I would recommend an apprenticeship to anybody who wants to develop whilst gaining on-the-job experience and a wage
If you're considering an apprenticeship and would like more information about how Personnel Checks can kick start your career, get in touch! Even when we haven’t got vacancies, we’re always interested to see what talent is out there, you can submit your details here.
For more information about how Personnel Check’s background screening solutions can help you, get in touch! You can give us a call on 01254 355688 or drop us an email at letstalk@personnelchecks.co.uk