Studies show that having engaged workers increases productivity by 21%. That’s a significantly higher return on investment.

So how do you go about creating engaged workers?

Support your employees by offering growth opportunities within your business to boost employee satisfaction. It will also save you money by increasing your employee retention rates.

Read on to learn the best ways to support your employees’ career advancement.

Use Mentorship Programs

These days, employees treasure a job that offers them chances to grow their skillset. An easy way to provide on the job training is through mentorship programs.

A mentorship program will allow higher-ups to coach staff in new areas. It will also reveal the potential for employee advancement. Chronus career mentoring programs offer great resources and tips for implementation.

You can encourage a company culture of mentorship even if you don’t put a coaching program in place.

Practice Role Swapping

If possible, you can prepare employees for career advancement by practicing role swapping within the company. This means having employees of a similar level switch jobs for a period of time.

Having a varied work environment will make work more exciting and fulfilling for employees. At the same time, employees will learn new soft and technical skills.

Role swapping will also give your employees a better understanding of your business, so they’re prepared to move into leadership roles. They’ll also gain more respect for coworker’s roles, fostering better teamwork.

Create an Employee Assistance Program

A great way to support employee advancement is through an Employee Assistance Program (EAP). An EAP is a program that exists to support employees with their personal life and work-related problems. Often times, it includes assessment and counseling options.

By supporting staff mental health, you’ll boost their job performance. LifeWorks EAP is an example of a great assistance program you can use.

Recognize and Reward Employees

Recognizing and rewarding your employees generates greater employee satisfaction.

While offering scheduled rewards are motivating, spontaneously recognizing an employee will boost loyalty. It’ll also foster a desire to continue earning recognition, and as a result, lead to better performance.

Have a Succession Plan

No matter what business you’re in, you should create a succession plan for every role in your company. It will take some time and effort, but the results will be worth it.

This is because having a succession plan shows your employees that you care about their future and that you have an actionable plan. It prevents employees from feeling overlooked, and the possibility of moving up will motivate them to put forward their best work.

Support Your Employees’ Career Advancement

Now that you know how, it’s time you start supporting your employees’ career advancement. Supporting staff in this way will benefit everyone involved.

You’ll spend less money having to replace employees, and you’ll see an increase in productivity. Your employees will have higher levels of life and work satisfaction.

If you’re ready to transform your business for the better, consider using the steps in this guide.

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