Convincing your employer to support your personal development

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Safety Professional – Training Development

Today’s workplace is constantly evolving with new technologies and processes. If you don’t stay on top of the trends, it’s easy to fall behind in your industry. One of the best ways to stay up-to-date is through personal development, including courses, seminars, workshops and more. These aren’t always cheap, which is why employees often ask their companies for support with their personal development initiatives. Here are a few tips for helping you convince your employer to invest in your personal development.

Create a list of the benefits

The first question most employers will ask when you approach them regarding personal development is “why”? It’s an important question that you need to know the answer to before you approach your boss. Think about ways that it benefits you as an individual, your role with the company, and most importantly, the company as a whole. What you’re really asking for is the company to invest in you as a team member. Keep this in mind when you speak to your employer and you’ll be on the right track.

Anticipate and address their concerns

Some employers are quick to shoot down requests to attend conferences and other personal development events. Know that this could happen, and be ready to work around it. For example, your employer may say that the conference or training course is too expensive or they can’t afford to have you taking extra days off of work right now. If cost is an issue, offer to split it. Maybe the month of that particular conference is when your company is at its busiest. If they don’t provide a reason, don’t be afraid to ask!

Present your options

If you are serious about doing some personal development, be sure to approach your employer with a variety of options. This not only shows that you are genuinely interested in personal development, but it shows your employer that you are flexible. Choose a variety of different opportunities that you are interested in attending and present them all to your employer. Consider opportunities during different times of the year, in different locations, and at different price points. The more options you have on hand, the easier it is to negotiate and come up with a compromise if needed.

Don’t forget about online opportunities

Not all personal development has to be done by sitting in a classroom or attending a conference. There are thousands of online safety courses, webinars, and live streams that can help expand your knowledge and help you along your career path. Taking your personal development online allows you to get the same high-quality of training with less time off needed and usually at a significantly cheaper rate. SET Safety offers Over 1500+ safety courses to help with your personal development and career goals. Contact us today to learn more about how our training solutions can benefit you and your company.

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