The strategic importance of employee development cannot be overstated. As an organization develops short-term and long-term plans to accomplish its mission and objectives, a ready workforce is essential for success. Employees have to be prepared to help the organization achieve these objectives. This requires the organization to be clear about where it wants to go and the KSAs employees need to get there.

Managers play an important role in ensuring material employees learned in training and development programs transfer to on-the-job performance. Coaching is one way that managers can fulfill that role. Even if there isn’t a formal learning opportunity, the manager can help employees deal with unanticipated workplace or job-related issues. Inertia can also present a problem for organizations when it comes to learning and development. Many managers assume that the development program they delivered in the past is still relevant today.

With a rapidly changing environment, the organization must be ready to adapt. Development is an ongoing process, and development plans need to be updated as often as strategic plans and objectives. Development must take into consideration the organization’s needs, as well as the employees’ career development needs. However, the organization’s needs may conflict with what employees need for their careers. In circumstances where the employees have aspirations, but the organization lacks resources or the strategic impetus to develop the employees as they might like, they may need to take control of their development.

Utilizing a wide variety of training approaches can be very advantageous to improve learning and, ultimately, transfer of learning to the job. As we expect more from employees with fewer resources, time is limited for them to engage in training and development programs outside of the job. Technology is one way development can be made more available for employees. Greater flexibility also means employees who work remotely via telecommuting or in global locations can access development opportunities previously offered only to those employees who work on-site.