Employers—especially large corporations—are investing billions into upskilling their workforce. Despite the proliferation of workforce training programs and an increase in skills-based training offered directly by employers, there are millions of employees who are not reached by these programs. “Unreached employees” – adults who hold low-wage jobs without clear career paths and are not reached by career advancement opportunities – have an overwhelming desire for career advancement, motivated primarily by job growth and increased pay, and yet 30% of frontline employees are not applying to these opportunities. This untapped pool of talent leaves money on the table, not just for the employees themselves who are not leveraging opportunities, but also for employers who are missing out on the chance to grow, develop, and retain their talent.
Key Takeaways:
- The direct and indirect costs of participating in career development programs can be significant and immediate. Employers can reduce these barriers by eliminating upfront costs for tuition and materials and providing incentives and services such as paid time off for participation in career development opportunities and wrap-around services like childcare and transportation benefits.
- The benefits of participating in career development opportunities are often unclear, insufficient, or deferred. Employers can clarify the return on investment for participating in these programs by linking participation with available roles, possible benefits, and needed skills for career advancement.
- Frontline employees often don’t feel empowered to participate in professional development because they fear that failure will jeopardize job stability and they lack encouragement from frontline managers, among other factors. Employers can emphasize and foster a positive corporate culture that emphasizes skill development, celebrates success without penalizing failure, and links frontline career advancement to core business success, stakeholders across all levels can contribute to a meaningful change in the way that frontline employees perceive development opportunities.
