The Key To Employee Retention
Although many organizations have specific educational hiring requirements, it is common to see a lack of access to nonprofit job training programs.
Since many employees rank progressive training as a valuable part of any career, it is worthwhile for executive directors and boards to ensure regular access to nonprofit job training programs.
Investing in the development of your staff is a necessary step, no matter your organization’s budget. Providing continued learning opportunities can do wonders for staff morale and employee retention. That’s why, for example, over 1,000 fundraisers have attended our Planned Giving Boot Camp.
The Current Climate for Nonprofit Job Training Programs
There are many reasons why nonprofit job training programs may not be easily accessible for staff members, but budget ranks as number one. Since donors rarely specifically state that their contributions should be used for professional development, some executives are uneasy about spending funds in this area.
Since organizations are intently focused on their current state of affairs, nonprofit job training programs sometimes slide under the radar. It takes a leader who is acutely aware of the benefits of providing access to nonprofit job training programs to help staff members feel that they are receiving professional development benefits.
In fact, in a Bridgespan survey, those in leadership positions recognized that they struggle to provide nonprofit job training programs. Only 30% of respondents stated that they considered it to be a strength of their organization.
In a survey about nonprofit professional development, 46% of respondents wanted continued education in technology and marketing. However, talent developers state that getting managers involved in professional development is their number 2 challenge.
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Benefits of Nonprofit Training Job Programs
Even if organizations are not currently offering nonprofit job training programs to their staff, the majority of executive directors do see the benefits of providing continued education opportunities.
Cost
Although budget constraints are frequently stated to be the problem with providing access to nonprofit job training programs, it is far more cost-effective to provide education to current employees than hire new ones.
It is also easier on the budget to train a staff member in social media or marketing than to hire a consultant or outsource the work to another professional. It is essential that organizations consider the cost-benefit of providing professional development to already effective staff, even if finding the funds feels like a splurge.
Employee Retention
In 2018, LinkedIn conducted a Workplace Learning Report. Since 94% of survey respondents declared that they would stay with a company for a longer period of time if it invested in professional development, it is safe to say that this should be a priority for the executive director and board of directors.
Younger generations are demanding more from employers, and due to the increase in remote opportunities, it is easy for people to access new careers with companies who are focused on professional growth.
Change in Career Duties
As we have seen over the past few years, the workplace technology climate is changing. We have switched from in-person meetings to zoom meetings, in-person donor events to virtual events, and even major changes in how teams communicate.
It is increasingly popular to use new technology such as Zoom, Slack, Asana, and other workflow management tools. While they seem fairly easy to use, providing technology modules or certifications to staff can help the transition. Being able to stay on top of marketing and communication trends is important, and anything that can cut down on marketing costs should be a win for the organization.
Productivity
It is no secret that nonprofit job training programs can skyrocket productivity. Breaking free from the “same ol’” mindset is fundamental to making progress in the workplace. Educating staff in project management, workflow, and leadership areas can help increase success and make staff interactions more efficient.
Since it takes several months for a new hire to feel fully comfortable in a role, it benefits everyone to provide nonprofit job training programs as part of the onboarding process. The quicker a new hire can catch on to their role and responsibilities, the lower the overall hiring cost.
Morale
Millennials and Gen Z are all about personal growth. Unlike older generations who were willing to stick with the status quo, younger employees are unwilling to stay in a position where they feel growth is stagnant.
Since so many for-profit companies are offering learning paths and opportunities for advancement, it is essential that charities focus on this area as well. As the younger generations are more likely to leave a workplace that has low morale, investing in nonprofit job training programs can help infuse positivity and an atmosphere of career building.
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How Nonprofits Can Improve
There are some steps that nonprofits can take to avail of the benefits of nonprofit job training programs without spending a fortune.
Create a Staff Learning Plan
Since employees are happier at workplaces that provide access to nonprofit job training programs, it is helpful to draft a professional development plan for each role. This can be used to appease employees but also to attract qualified new hires. Knowing in advance that nonprofit job training programs are part of the plan and that they are expected to grow can help company culture and employee retention.
Create a Career Path
Charities are structured differently from for-profit companies, and there isn’t always an opportunity for employees to slide into management positions. Organizations must be creative in providing fulfilling advancement opportunities for staff.
Creating a career path that progressively increases duties (and wages!) through growth opportunities is a great way to show employees that you value their contributions and help them feel content in the workplace.
Create an Online Resource Center
Offering nonprofit job training programs does not have to be expensive or take a large cut of the budget. Creating in-house opportunities is a feasible way to provide professional development at a low cost. Organizations are quite capable of uploading educational materials to an online portal for employees to access and complete.
There are also endless amounts of free education modules available online and from reputable sources. Creating a list of free resources is a budget-friendly method of providing professional development opportunities.
In 2019, 29.6% of professional development training hours were conducted online, and that number is set to grow. Investing time and money into the development of an online platform is a worthwhile endeavor.
Fund Certifications
Funding certifications from recognized organizations can be a cost-effective method of providing career advancement opportunities. Depending on your specific area of expertise, this may include hands-on certification (like First Aid or ASIST programs) or certification of nonprofit essentials.
Ensuring access to resume-enhancing certifications can help staff members feel fulfilled and that their time spent with your organization is meaningful and will provide future learning opportunities.
Encourage Training-Specific Donations
If you are on an exceptionally tight budget, it may be time to start asking donors for funds to direct towards nonprofit job training programs. By highlighting the importance of professional development towards meeting the organization’s mission, donors may consider funding this area a worthwhile contribution.
Engaging donors in the professional development process can help them feel that they are making a “here and now” impact on the organization and can help pad the bank account so nonprofit job training programs don’t feel like a luxury.
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Conclusion
Investing in nonprofit job training programs for fundraisers and board members can help build a skilled and efficient workforce. Fulfilling the common desire for advancement and professional growth can help foster an environment of loyal, appreciative employees.
It is essential for the entire team to take part in nonprofit job training programs and not just management positions. This can help craft a company culture that encourages happy employees that feel their work is meaningful and valued.
