There ’ s no set formula that will help employees advance their careers . But creating a supported , funded , enticing CE program can launch employees to new heights . The commitment begins at the top . •
FEATURE
“... as an agency leader , you can also highlight
the intrinsic benefits of education .”
LAYING THE PATH
AT PLM , 80 % OF EMPLOYEES ARE CURRENTLY PURSUING ADVANCED DESIGNATIONS , THANKS IN LARGE PART TO EFFORTS BY CARLA CORRADO , MANAGER OF TALENT DEVELOPMENT .
CORRADO WORKS WITH EMPLOYEES TO DEVELOP A TRACK THEY CAN FOLLOW TOWARD INSURANCE DESIGNATIONS , TAKING ADVANTAGE OF OPPORTUNITIES OFFERED THROUGH THE INSTITUTES . SHE BRINGS IN TEACHERS AND TUTORS , ORDERS BOOKS , SENDS REMINDERS ABOUT TEST DATES AND HAS DESIGNATED OUR OFFICE AS A TEST SITE . financially is also important . By funding education , particularly expensive insurance designations , you remove impediments that hold an employee back from expanding their knowledge .
Finally , there ’ s no harm in attaching a bonus to a new designation .
MAKE IT EASY
How you accomplish this may depend on your budget . Perhaps you simply identify and fund appropriate , off-site training , or perhaps you create a holistic professional development program with dedicated staff and resources [ see sidebar ].
CREATE A GENUINE SUPPORT SYSTEM
It ’ s not enough to simply say you support CE . Just making it available does not necessarily mean employees will take advantage of it .
The most successful CE and professional development programs enjoy support at every level of a business . Senior management makes room for it in the budget , midlevel managers prioritize it and human resources personnel help create the right processes , such as including professional development as a line item in annual reviews .
There ’ s no set formula that will help employees advance their careers . But creating a supported , funded , enticing CE program can launch employees to new heights . The commitment begins at the top . •
John Smith is president & CEO of PLM , and he has been in leadership roles in the industry for over 30 years .
JULY / AUGUST 2023
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