Implementing a deliberate talent development strategy not only aligns employee development and skills with company needs but also builds a strong and prepared talent pipeline for future hires.
Companies dedicate significant time and resources to find the right candidates for job openings. But what about the candidates who aren’t selected? Many companies have now embraced the practice of nurturing their talent pools of unselected candidates, better preparing them for future hiring needs.
This new talent development strategy is crucial for any company looking to maximize their initial investment by building a strong pipeline of motivated and engaged future employees who are actively upskilling and preparing to start working.
Defining and developing pathways based on career interests and skills, and creating a career plan can reduce onboarding time and costs while focusing on scalability and skill empowerment.
How to Start Developing Talent for the Future
A development pathway ensures that valuable resources are allocated effectively to benefit the company, its employees, and future hires within your talent database.
- Assess Current Strategies- Evaluate where your Talent Development Strategies stand now. What are your goals? How can they be improved? Are you including unhired candidates in a Next Chance Program?
- Create a Detailed Plan- Develop a plan that outlines what needs to happen, the tools and methods required, and a timeline.
- Align with Company Goals- Tie the talent development program to your company’s mission and goals. Craft strategies to cultivate the skills that will most benefit the business, helping employees and potential hires excel.
- Regular Assessment- Continuously assess existing and future skills needs to stay aligned with company objectives.
- Targeted Development Plans- Create plans that address everyone’s goals. Match learning styles with the skills needed to achieve the company’s mission. Some candidates thrive with practical training, while others prefer a more classical, formal type of learning.
Must-Have Training and Talent Development Tools
Talent development is a multifaceted process that demands meticulous planning and ongoing evaluation. By offering previously unhired candidates a new opportunity to shine, you gain access to pre-qualified individuals who already possess certain skills and can quickly acquire the additional ones needed for future roles.
A few tools will make the process simpler and attainable:
- Mentorship and Coaching Platforms: Assist with communication, sharing tools, and tracking progress.
- Online Learning Libraries: Ideal for independent learners who prefer to study at their own pace.
- Performance Management Systems: Simplify tracking progress, giving and receiving feedback, and evaluating performance.
Career Highways offers excellent tools to improve candidate quality. People want to learn new things and stay with companies that provide growth opportunities, ensuring they have the right skills to get the job done.
Providing ongoing support and guidance to potential employees who didn’t get a particular job helps nurture their skills and keeps them engaged as potential future hires. This practice can make talent pools more diverse and often makes hiring more effective. This is the future of hiring and development.
To learn more about the Next Chance Program, set up a demo with Career Highways here: https://careerhighways.com/book-a-demo/