If you allow your employees to progress and grow in the workplace, they will be happier and more motivated. This is good for the employee and the employer, as your staff will be comfortable growing in an environment that they’re comfortable in.

After all, people often naturally want to progress their careers. If someone feels as though they’re stuck at work, they will lose motivation and, in many cases, consider leaving for a more interesting or better paid opportunity. This, in turn, means that you lose a skilled employee, and you will have to hire and train someone new to fill their role.

Here are some ways to provide more advancement opportunities in your business, so that employees have more options without leaving for greener pastures.

Education and Training

As an employer, one of the best things you can offer is further education and training in the field. This allows your employees to progress and advance in their careers, but you also get to keep trained and skilled employees on.

For example, you can encourage employees to do online business courses so that they can get more qualifications, allowing them to transition into a leadership role. This means that people don’t feel stuck in their role as they can work to improve their skills.

You can also offer or subsidize different types of training, including first aid training. While first aid training might not be job-specific, it’s the kind of soft skill that employers find incredibly helpful. This also means that your workplace is a safer environment for your employees.

Provide Feedback

People can’t progress if they don’t know what they’re doing wrong or right. If you act as a mentor to your employees, you can help them to improve and be happier with their work.

This goes both ways. If necessary, offer corrective feedback and criticism, but make sure that you’re not cruel. Keep it professional and, as much as possible, provide positive feedback. People like to know that their hard work is noticed and appreciated.

Feedback goes both ways as well, so make sure your employees feel comfortable in sharing their opinions, suggestions, and concerns. You can implement a check-in system so that you know how your employees are doing and if they need any extra support.

When appropriate, you can also push your employees out of their comfort zone. By providing these opportunities to work on different, more challenging projects, you allow your employees to build their skills and prove themselves.

Internal Advancement

Pushing your employees is most effective when there are opportunities for internal advancement. There’s no point in training and refining your employees if they can’t use their new skills.

So, make sure that when jobs open up, you consider existing employees who have shown that they want to progress and are willing to put in the work. If people ask for raises, bonuses, or promotions, seriously consider them. Even if you don’t always accept, people will appreciate that they have the option to progress without leaving.