Where do I start?

In a financial crisis many employers will reduce their workforce however Australian firms should be careful not to throw away their recent investments in their workforce. They will need a skilled workforce to remain strong and productive, both to sustain themselves over the downturn and take advantage of growth and new opportunities in the future. Employers should take this opportunity in the current environment, to encourage their staff to up-skill for the future needs of their business.

In these economic times, career development (known by a variety of names including talent management, organisational development, etc) is even more vital  than ever before for your business, its survival and its bottom line.

Question - So what is career development and why is it important for my business? Answer

Some organisations are not only surviving in these tough times but have reported an upturn in business. Read a case study of good business practice in tough economic times - JB Hi-Fi Chairman, Patrick Elliot

Career development doesn't cost, it pays! Read about the Return on Investment of Career Development.

Career development - what is it and why is it important to my business?

What does the career development process involve?

Many organisations will have established systems to develop their people: mentoring, personal development plans, feedback and performance appraisal, corporate responsibility programs and so on. All of these contribute to the career development of individuals as well as the effectiveness of organisations.

Career Development is, in essence, about individuals actively managing their careers - their life, their learning and their work. The skills they need to do this are explained in the Australian Blueprint for Career Development.

Your role, as an employer might be to:

• identify the needs of the staff, by talking to all levels of the organisation
• encourage staff to discuss, identify and strive for career and life goals
• provide or be supportive of training and development opportunities for staff
• actively support activities or policies that lead to better staff engagement and satisfaction
• be willing to support flexible arrangements for employees
• incorporate career development into organisational policies and goals.

You might expect your staff to:

• identify personal, career and life goals during performance management sessions
• be prepared to discuss their needs with their employer and be flexible to change
• actively engage in career development program/s within the organisation
• participate in opportunities outside work that increase their employability and satisfy their personal career goals
• take responsibility for their career by planning ways to meet their goals, and actively pursuing them within your organisation.

You might need a career development practitioner to advise you. You can find appropriately trained and registered advisers through Find a Career Practitioner at Career Development Association of Australia (CDAA) formerly Australian Association of Career Counsellors (AACC).

Career development and redundancies

Fact - business confidence (and growth) will return in the future.

Reality - will you have the staff to adapt to future growth? will you know where to find them? will they still want to work for you?

Many of the staff who you may need to make redundant now, have the skills and knowledge that you may need in the future. Helping them through the current necessity of redundancy may be one of your most critical future strategies.

Part of your redundancy strategy should be to provide support and access to a career development practitioner for employees being made redundant.

The future reputation of your recruitment brand is even more important in tough economic times.

Further information and where can I get help?

The Return on Investment (ROI) of career development

A case study of good business practice in tough economic times - JB Hi-Fi Chairman, Patrick Elliot

For links to websites that can help you with career development for organisations, see resources.

What is National Career Development Week?

Where does National Career Development Week fit in?

National Career Development Week (17 to 23 May, 2010) is a week of celebrations of all the careers events held throughout the year, dedicated to:

• Increasing awareness and understanding of the nature and importance of career development
• Promoting and encouraging Australians to take personal responsibility and ‘ownership' for the management of their own careers
• Engaging Australians in active recognition of the benefits of career development
• Seeking wider community endorsement for ongoing participation in career development

In short, we want to help encourage Australians to take active ownership of their careers and get the life they love (hopefully within your organisation!).

You might like to celebrate what you are doing, or use National Career Development Week as the beginning of a new career development strategy.

The Return on Investment of Career Development