The Benefits of Career Development Software

What are the benefits of career development software?

There are numerous benefits of implementing career development software, whether you are looking to upskill your staff or equip your students with the experience and expertise they’ll need to thrive in the workplace. From identifying skill gaps to giving individuals the confidence to excel professionally, end-to-end software solutions offer you the tools to help people unlock their potential.

The advantages of career development platforms for employers

In a recent study, more than 70% of UK employees cited neglected career development goals as one of the reasons why they were struggling in their roles. And with 24% of those surveyed planning to leave their current positions in the next 12 months, the findings are worrying for any organisation that isn’t invested in developing talent from within.

On the flip side, many businesses we work with have seen measurable gains in employee engagement and satisfaction by implementing professional development initiatives. International SOS saw 50% of its staff commit to its online career and learning platform within the first six months, a figure which rose continuously over the following two years.

Let’s consider how a career development platform can help you to achieve similar success in your organisation – and some of the practical advantages of implementing a solution like this.

1. Manage career transitions for new starters and internal moves

Career development software enables employees to hit the ground running when they join your company, making it easier for people to access the training they need right away. Introducing new starters to your professional development programme shows an immediate willingness to engage with their learning and help them to progress from the very start of their journey with the organisation.

You may also encounter situations in which an existing employee moves departments and needs support with the transition. With the right software tools, you can support their induction into the new team efficiently and effectively whilst demonstrating your continued commitment to their growth.

2. Engage, retain, and attract talent

With the job-to-job move rate at an all time high, it’s now more important than ever for your organisation to keep staff engaged with their roles and focus on retention. Taking your career development initiatives to the next level is one of the key ways that you can achieve this.

Opportunities to learn and progress are valued by existing and prospective employees alike. You can enhance your employee value proposition by implementing a new career development system, making it easier to attract and retain talent whilst reducing the pressure on your hiring teams.

3. Let individuals personalise their development plans

One of the key benefits of an online career development platform is that it allows for customisation of an individual’s learning plan. Rather than trying to force a system to fit everyone, you can facilitate personalised programmes that still meet the requirements of your company-wide framework.

4. Report on progress as it happens

With data on platform usage and employee progress at your fingertips, you’ll be well placed to report on the outcomes of your learning and development initiatives. These types of insights can also be used to refine your approach and improve training across your organisation.

The advantages of career development platforms for employees and managers

Although we’ve explored the benefits of career development platforms from an organisational standpoint, there are also several advantages to consider from the perspective of your employees and their managers.

1. Empower employees to take control of their own career development

You will have heard about the link between empowering employees and increased retention rates, and one of the most effective ways that you can achieve this is by handing them the keys to their own development. With online career development software, individuals can learn and progress at a pace that suits them, as well as choosing bespoke features and modules according to their personal objectives.

2. Provides a private space for people to progress

There’s no need for your employees to publicise the areas they want to improve on – or how they’re progressing against objectives. With the right software, staff are given a private space in which to work on their development objectives with managers, giving everyone the confidence they need to engage with your programmes.

3. Access career advice remotely

Career development platforms fully support hybrid and remote working, with remote access to the system at all times, from any location. With the rising popularity of more flexible working patterns, this is just another string to the bow of your employee value proposition.

The benefits of career development software for students and graduates

Career development platforms are also useful tools for schools, higher education facilities, and universities. 

By supporting the professional growth of your students, you can help to open up new employment opportunities for them in the future. And with schools and universities increasingly being judged on their ability to prepare young people for the world of work, investing in career development programmes can also have a positive impact on independent assessments of your institution.

Read on to discover the key advantages to career development solutions for schools and educational facilities.

1. Automated, on-demand CV & interview training

The leading platforms offer enhanced features to help students craft the perfect CV and prepare for interviews. Whilst this should be managed primarily by schools and universities in-house, having quick tips and training available online reduces the need for time-consuming meetings and relieves some of the pressure on your careers team.

2. Access on-demand career coaching

With on-demand career coaching accessible in the top career development platforms, students can engage with the process whenever and wherever works for them. The ability to access coaching outside of regular teaching hours removes any time pressure, and also means that parents have the chance to support their children with learning and development at home.

3. Pair employability advice with career assessments

Most platforms offer a variety of assessments to help students gain practical insights into the requirements of different career paths and the steps involved in getting there, along with in-depth reports to aid their progression. All of this means that your students have the tools and advice they need to progress confidently with their professional development and excel in the future.

How to choose career development software

The first and most important step in choosing new career development software is to find a provider that can tailor the solution to the needs of your academic or professional organisation. It’s also vital to establish whether the platform offers all of the built-in functionalities that you require, from customisable learning plans and objective setting to on-demand coaching.

When you think you’ve found a solution that fits the bill, we’d recommend booking a demonstration so that you can see it in action for yourself. All leading providers will offer this free of charge, and will be happy to walk you through the various functionalities and modules that could work for you.

Our career development platform, Access Career Development, can be offered to your students or employees 24/7. With engaging online technology and a wealth of e-learning content available, our software solution is highly configurable and can be built to cater for your organisation’s needs. 

We’ve helped to deliver next-generation professional development programmes for schools, universities, and employers across a wide range of industries. Get in touch today to find out how we can help.

The next steps:

This guide has explored some of the many benefits of career development software for educational facilities, as well as employers and their employees. Fill out the contact form below to discover how our solution could work for your organisation.