If you want to build your career, spend time away from work

Job prospects and long-term career success are increasingly being influenced by individualsí willingness to mix their working lives with time spent studying. Figures published by the Chartered Management Institute show that employers are attracted to staff who show commitment to their own professional development, because of the knock-on effect this has on business.

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The data, which comes from a series of research projects undertaken over the past four years*, has been issued in the run up to ëLearning at Workí day ñ a national campaign spearheaded by the Campaign for Learning.

According to the findings, employers accept that their staff will move on to other jobs, but see immediate ëbusiness needí as a key factor to encourage learning. Asked to identify reasons for supporting employee development, the top 3 responses were: ëstrategic business requirementsí, ëimproving individual prospects for progressí and ëenabling staff to do their jobí. Individual respondents also gave a clear indication that they see value in time spent learning; a rating of 6 out of 10 was given when managers were asked if they had been ërewarded and recognisedí for undertaking development programmes.

Managers were also asked the extent to which learning had helped their career. 24 per cent said that achieving a qualification led to a promotion and 23 per cent received a salary increase. The same proportion (23 per cent) transferred their skills to a new career and 22 per cent got a new job in the same industry. Half (53 per cent) claimed that they also gained more respect from colleagues and 70 per cent focused on the opportunity it gave them to ërefocusí their career.

Looking ahead 5 years, 1 in 3 employers also believe that their managers will become ëmore concerned about professional developmentí. More than half (54 per cent) argue that managers will also need evidence of transferable skills to move across industry sectors, with a similar proportion (51 per cent) suggesting success will be based on ëbroad business knowledgeí. These findings come in the wake of wider research which revealed that a combination of studying for qualifications and on-the-job experience has overtaken ënatural abilityí as the key ingredient for successful management and leadership.

Jo Causon, director of marketing and corporate affairs at the Chartered Management Institute, says: ìIt is becoming increasingly clear that, if individuals want to succeed, they must invest time in continually updating their skills. But studying on its own is not the answer ñ how managers apply what they learn in their relationships with customers and colleagues is critical to ongoing success.î

Most respondents admit that ëtaking time outí to learn new skills improves their self-awareness and interpersonal capabilities. For example, 79 per cent suggest that one practical benefit is the development of their leadership skills and 66 per cent believe they are better equipped to deal with interpersonal issues as a result of studying for a qualification.

Tricia Hartley, chief executive at the Campaign for Learning adds: Learning whilst working can be a considerable challenge, particularly with the pressures we all face to deliver on time, every time. However, it is clear from this research as well as the feedback we receive from the many organisations taking part in Learning at Work Day that there is no subsitute for continuous learning, as without this the ability to meet new and changing demands is diminished.î