Competence Development as a Strategic Tool
Securing Workforce
In this guide, you can learn more about the considerations you should make regarding the competence development of employees.
In this guide, you can learn more about the considerations you should make regarding the competence development of employees.
Competence development can be a valuable tool for any company, but it is often overlooked as part of the strategy.
In a busy everyday life, further and continuing education of employees is often deprioritized, but competence development is a flexible tool that can be planned well in advance and used when the opportunity arises.
The possibilities for wage compensation and other support options make competence development an inexpensive and effective way to increase employees' attachment to the company.
We generally recommend making upskilling and continuing education a fixed agenda item every time you discuss strategy in the company and implement it in the next annual plan.
Get Sparring and Guidance
Companies often associate strategy with new markets, new factories, and new production methods. They often forget to consider well in advance which competencies are required to implement the new strategy – and whether they already have these competencies, need to upskill/continue training the current employees, or need to hire new employees.
You can get sparring, guidance, and help throughout the process from Business Esbjerg. Many educational institutions also offer help with large parts of the process through a full-service offer.
Before we go further into planning and implementing competence development, it is worth mentioning that there are many and different possibilities for compensation related to competence development.
The company or the employee directly can receive wage compensation; there are support funds in various professional pools, and for certain areas, there are support pools. It is crucial to know that the time spent on competence development is not simultaneously a 100% expense in terms of employees' salary/time. The support possibilities can be complex, but here too, Business Esbjerg or the educational institutions can assist.
5 Steps to Make Competence Development Part of the Company
Below we outline the necessary steps to be able to work strategically with competence development.
Competence Development Deeply Embedded
When it becomes part of the company's DNA, competence development is a strong and stable tool for increased employee attachment, strengthening cohesion, securing new knowledge, and potentials for growth and general adaptability in the company.
When looking into purchasing new machines or new technology, employees can quickly become superusers because developing new competencies is part of everyday life.
If a new customer has a special need, this can quickly be covered, and you avoid makeshift solutions.
It is not easy to get competence development fully into a company, but the potential is great and the possibilities many once it is part of the company's DNA.
Apprentices – a Sure Path to Qualified Labor
We experience companies that as part of their strategy do not want to take apprentices but only recruit fully trained skilled workers. In a market where there is a shortage of skilled labor, this is an expensive strategy because you then have to outbid other companies to be able to hire "their" employees.
Therefore, taking apprentices is advantageous; because it is a sure path to qualified and skilled labor.
Besides, it is in everyone's interest that there is a skilled workforce in the area – and that requires companies to take apprentices and regard it as a shared responsibility.
Likewise, apprentices can often help renew and optimize the company by asking "dumb" questions – which can prove to be very good because they can lead to a reassessment of processes and routines. In short, apprentices can give the company a new perspective on the ways things have always been done.
Get Help for the Next Step
Whether you are just about to start or are well underway, Business Esbjerg can help.
We have experience with many types of companies, knowledge of support options, and can offer a neutral view of the development potential in your company.
Our Development and Project Consultant is Ready to Help You
Arne Fogh
Udviklings- og projektkonsulent