It’s tough in today’s job market.

Unemployment levels are high, businesses are going under, and the number of new jobs being created are few and far between. Career training has always been an important way of helping you to advance your career, but in today’s tough economic climate it may be more of a necessity than an option.

If you’re serious about furthering your career in today’s demanding job market, getting appropriate career training in place can put you ahead of the rest. Many employee surveys highlight the need for career training in the workplace, so here’s our top 10 tips on how training will further your career…

1. It can strengthen existing workplace skills

Career training isn’t all about learning a new career entirely – far from it. Soft skills training can help strengthen your existing skill sets. For example, if you work with computers all day, learning advanced programme skills related to your industry or job will not only increase your productivity it will build your skill set too.

2. It can strengthen your position in the organisation

At a time when businesses are crying out for strong leadership and direction, training in leadership, management and teambuilding can put you well ahead of your peers. It’s a widely-accepted fact that a team which is both highly motivated and led will deliver higher sales and much better customer service – two things that many businesses need.

3. It can lead to a payrise or promotion

Let’s face it, getting a payrise these days is a tall order. However by participating in further training you show your employer that you are both committed to your job and you are willing to go the extra mile. This can lead to promotion and the associated benefits of a larger salary!

4. It keeps your brain active!

The benefits of continuous learning are well known. It can help keep your mind sharp and improve your memory, especially as you get older. Research has shown that people who keep their brains active and learn new things are less likely to suffer from dementia in older age. The best way to improve your mental skills is to continually learn something new.

5. It gives you a new focus

If you feel stuck in your job, having something to look forward to each week can help give you a new focus. Enrolling on an evening course for example can help you make new friends and widen your outlook on life too.

6. It gives you confidence

Sometimes, if you’ve been in your job for a while, taking on a new challenge like career training can feel incredibly daunting. By taking on career training you’ll not only overcome this fear, you will gain confidence in your ability to learn and share information with others. You’ll feel far more comfortable about who you are as a person and what you can offer your employer or future employers.

7. It improves your interpersonal skills

While some career training can take place in your own home, many courses will be with others who are either in the same career as you or share your interests. When you are learning you will have to sharpen up your interpersonal skills by working with others through group sessions and presentations. When you share what you know you will help others learn and enhance your relationships too.

8. It improves your communication skills too

All career training courses need good reading, listening and writing skills; skills essential to your ability to communicate. It goes without saying that all employers want employees who can communicate effectively – it’s a skill so important to building strong teams and improving performance. By enhancing your communication skills you will improve your ability to write letters, emails, reports, give presentations and speak to the company president.

9. It can change the way you and your business works

If you’ve been doing the same thing for years, further training can help change long-held behaviours, views and outlooks. If you’ve worked in sales for years, you could learn new ways of selling online. If you work with computers it can help refresh your knowledge and help put in place new working practices which can benefit your whole business in the long-run.

10. It can lead to a new job entirely

And finally – if you are unhappy with your career choice or are considering a change – looking into training for other areas that interest you is an excellent way of testing the waters for switching careers. By completing a training course in a new career you’ll open up so many more doors which were closed to you before.

To sum up…

The benefits of career training are plain to see, but just how much will it cost? This will all depend on the type of training you require – but don’t let it stop you! Many employers have funds set aside to help train their employees. If you find you have to meet the cost of your training yourself think of it as an investment in your future – years down the line you’ll thank yourself.