Employee learning and development (L&D) is such a vital function of every company. It is a systematic process to enhance employees’ skills, knowledge, and competency, resulting in better work performance. L&D is a core HR function and a significant part of an organization’s overall people development strategy. It plays a key role in attracting and retaining talent, enriching company culture, and engaging employees.
Both learning and development are key to helping employees grow and succeed in the workplace. However, they each have their specific purpose and meaning.
Learning: Learning is concerned with the acquisition of knowledge, skills, behaviors, and attitudes that lead to improved job performance. The process of learning takes place through various activities, such as seminars, conferences, hands-on experimentation, and reading articles or books.
Development: Development is the broadening and deepening of knowledge in line with one’s individual long-term professional goals. It aims to grow job-related abilities to expand one’s potential for new opportunities in the future. For example, development activities can include leadership training, mentoring, coaching, job shadowing, and stretch assignments. Typically, development is a choice an employee makes rather than something they are required to do.
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