Is Career Development Still Relevant?
This is the question we were asking as APQC embarked on its most recent training and development research study. We wondered: Has the prevalence of job hopping, layoffs, and flat organizations lessened the value of career development in the eyes of employers and employees? After analyzing the data and studying best-practice organizations, we have our answer and it’s an indisputable—Yes. Career development is not only still relevant but is arguably more relevant than ever. Why? Skills and competencies are becoming obsolete at a quickening pace. Employees see continuous growth and development as essential to staying employed. Employers are looking to career development as a means to lengthen employee tenure and secure the cutting-edge capabilities their business plans require. Rather than turning away from career development, the best-practice organizations that we studied are leveling up the sophistication of their career path tools and then supporting these tools with personalized co