Getting ahead at work has always been a pretty big priority for a lot of people. But today, progress means keeping up with new technology and processes. And while this is important for employees, it’s equally vital for employers who want their workforce to be the cream of the crop. Because of this, lots of companies are turning to online portals to help make sure that their teams are on top of their game ,and individual career goals are aligned with those of the company.
Savvy businesses know that the key to success is in nurturing staff, So in this article we’re going to share our top five career development platforms for employee growth.
Why Career Development Platforms Matter
Another platform?? I hear you cry and OK, I get it - these days most businesses are using more platforms than Grand Central Station but, trust me, this is one that you definitely want to get on board with. By focusing on upskilling employees and career planning, companies can keep up with the times and stay ahead of the competition more effectively - and cost-effectively. This is where career development platforms come in. These clever bits of kit provide invaluable tools for both employers and staff alike including training, progress trackers and mentorship features. Using development resources is no longer a “nice-to-have” for businesses who want to get the best out of their staff and individuals looking for personal skills growth and a platform to show them off on.
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What to look for in a career development platform
For businesses, planning, progress and performance are the three P’s that matter and so you’ll want a tool that’s going to support these with proper personalization, tracking and analytics. Just as importantly, you need to make sure that your chosen platform will integrate with all of your existing tech as this will save you some major headaches further down the road.
5 Best Platforms To Boost Skills And Success
So, we’ve talked about why you need to choose a platform to supersize your team’s skills and map out your employees career paths. But which one to choose? Let’s shine a spotlight on some of the best ones out there: those that offer increased productivity, laser-focused engagement and, ultimately, better staff retention.
Platform |
Key Features |
Why Choose |
TalentGuard |
AI-driven insights, career pathing |
Aligns personal growth with company goals |
Udemy for Business |
Self-paced learning, certifications |
Affordable learning across many topics |
LinkedIn Learning |
Role-based learning, professional networking |
Combines learning with networking and personal branding |
Coach.me |
Personalized coaching, habit tracking |
Focuses on mindset change and personal growth |
Coursera for Business |
University-backed courses, certificates |
Accredited education from top universities |
1. TalentGuard
Founded in 2009 by Linda Ginac, TalentGuard was created to help align business objectives with employee development goals - and it does it pretty darn well. Personalized development plans, career planning tools and skill development features prepare your employees for the future while making sure that they have all the tools that they need to complete their current duties. Keeping a constant eye on performance, this platform maps, tracks, adjusts and provides feedback to monitor and manage development. Even better, this clever tool can also be easily integrated with other work-focused platforms.
TalentGuard’s key features:
- Potential career path mapping for existing employees
- Personalized development suggestions powered by AI
- Zeroes in on areas for improvement and matches these with learning opportunities
2. Udemy for Business
Based in sunny San Francisco, Udemy for Business offers oodles of online courses for employees covering countless work-related topics such as business affairs, tech and individual growth and development. With the flexibility of working in their own time and at their own pace, successful employees earn a certificate which can add another string to the bow of their resumes. For business, Udemy is an ultimate resource for training and upskilling staff in an effective and affordable way without the need for tons of time out of the office.
3. LinkedIn Learning
While you may already be familiar with LinkedIn as a business or individual, LinkedIn Learning has only been around since 2016. This value added resource is designed to offer a unique option for work-related courses that can be connected to a LinkedIn account and shared with prospective employers. Super-intuitive, LL recommends training based on current skills and job titles as well as facilitating introductions within the industry.
LinkedIn Learning’s key features:
- Personalized and intuitive recommendations relating to current job roles and skill
- Networking opportunities with communities and industry experts
- Skill development targeted specifically at performance and growth
LinkedIn Learning is a win-win for businesses, employees and candidates and is a great all-round resource for those individuals committed to their careers That’s not all though; this is also a great choice for companies committed to supporting and developing their people.
4. Coach.me
The idea of Coach.me is to match employees with coaches who make sure they stay on track to develop good habits and behaviours Rather than training courses,
Coach.me is a kind of Tinder for top employees and work coaches. Instead of a one-on-one service, this platform gives you access to a whole load of coaches and resources to help you manage and monitor performance and success, gain valuable feedback and implement real change. There are a number of flexible plans available to suit time constraints and budget - meaning that support and development have never been so accessible.
5. Coursera for Business
A more formal and structured option, Coursera for Business burst onto the scene in 2012 and hasn’t looked back since. Drawing on online courses offered by the UK’s top universities, employees are able to gain actual certification without having to sign up to a full time education. Full flexibility means that businesses can support and develop their employees with modules relevant to their current and future positions without having to take time off work. This is a fantastic site that is fast becoming a go-to for companies with more rigid qualification requirements.
How to Choose the Right Platform
You need to choose the appropriate career development platform: one that will match your business objectives and also help employees in their career growth. Here are the kind of issues you should keep in mind:
- Think about areas of staff improvement: their skills, career pathing, and any leadership training.
- Find out what kind of learner they are (self-paced, mentorship, etc.) and the kind of career they want so you can connect with them.
- The platform should also be able to work with your current Learning Management System (LMS).
- Make sure that it can grow with your business and handle more staff and learning needs in the future.
- Look for a platform that offers tools like a resume builder to help your employees keep track of their progress.
These will help you to choose the platform that suits your needs. The right investment will ensure that your business and your staff develop a learning environment that’s beneficial to everyone.
Conclusion
In the modern world, performance and development opportunities are a must-have for both employer and employee and, with so many options available, failure is not an option. Whether you’re a business looking to outskill the competition or a candidate shooting for the stars, platforms like the ones listed here will give you that vital head start.
