Developing skills through learning at work

Whether you are just starting out in your first job, have been in your role for a while, or are considering ways to help you work towards promotion, there are many advantages to doing extra learning and improving your skills.

Benefits of learning at work

There are many benefits of learning at work. It can help you to:

learn new skills
develop in your current role
help you to progress into more senior roles
prepare for a change in career
give you a sense of achievement

Three people dressed in business wear, seating and all facing the front of a room. The main subject is smiling and holding a notebook

Different ways to learn at work

There are lots of ways to learn at work, from formal training and courses, to more casual arrangements. You could do something like:

online learning
mentoring or coaching
shadowing

Do a skills health check

If you’re ready to upskill, a good place to start is a skills health check. It can help you work out what skills you already have, and what skills you need to develop. You can then find learning that will add the most value to your career.

Find learning you can do whilst working

Some workplaces have access to their own learning platforms and schedules available to you, so it is worth asking your employer first. You might also want to look into free online learning. This lets you learn new skills at your own pace, and may offer a wider variety of options.

Mentoring and shadowing can also be carried out around your usual role - you can find out more in our mentoring article. Alongside shadowing, mentoring is an invaluable way to learn from your colleagues' experience and skills, increasing your own skillset.

Make time for learning at work

When you are in work, it can be difficult to find the time for additional learning. Have a chat with your manager to discuss your potential aims, and they may be able to support you in planning around your role.

It can be helpful to set aside some dedicated time for learning each week, and to ensure you keep a good work life balance. Before starting, define some objectives and create actionable steps to help make it achievable, which helps you to see your progress.

Get involved with learning at work week

Throughout the week, we will be sharing top tips and advice about learning at work on our social media channels, as well as hearing from people who have benefited from learning.

Here is Ray, one of our careers advisers, sharing just some of the benefits of pursuing learning and development.

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