Give Emerging Talent a Boost

Content

Developing emerging talent is an increasingly pressing issue for talent development leaders. Emerging talent—defined as those with less than five years of full-time work experience in any workplace—are comprising larger portions of the workforce. But their development can be challenging, because they often lack work experience as well as experience receiving and applying training in a work setting. Recent research shows that organizations are struggling in this area.

Developing emerging talent is an increasingly pressing issue for talent development leaders. Emerging talent—defined as those with less than five years of full-time work experience in any workplace—are comprising larger portions of the workforce. But their development can be challenging, because they often lack work experience as well as experience receiving and applying training in a work setting. Recent research shows that organizations are struggling in this area.

Content

ATD's research, Emerging Talent: Developing Early Career Employees , found that 20 percent of organizations are highly effective at developing specific skills in emerging talent to meet immediate needs, while just 12 percent are highly effective at career development for this group.

ATD's research, Emerging Talent: Developing Early Career Employees, found that 20 percent of organizations are highly effective at developing specific skills in emerging talent to meet immediate needs, while just 12 percent are highly effective at career development for this group.

Content

ATD Research surveyed 215 talent development professionals about their organizations' efforts to develop emerging talent and found that although there are several key challenges to overcome—such as a lack of resources and metrics to track the development success—organizations could see a host of benefits if they develop emerging talent well. These benefits range from improved retention and increased engagement to increased overall organizational performance and more robust pipelines for leadership roles.

ATD Research surveyed 215 talent development professionals about their organizations' efforts to develop emerging talent and found that although there are several key challenges to overcome—such as a lack of resources and metrics to track the development success—organizations could see a host of benefits if they develop emerging talent well. These benefits range from improved retention and increased engagement to increased overall organizational performance and more robust pipelines for leadership roles.

Ask and engage

Content

Because effectiveness in developing this group is lacking, organizations could use some help in their efforts. As such, the study offers several suggestions.

Because effectiveness in developing this group is lacking, organizations could use some help in their efforts. As such, the study offers several suggestions.

Content

First, be sure to talk directly to the emerging talent in your organization. ATD Research found that organizations that used interviews with emerging talent to assess their needs were significantly more effective than organizations that did not.

First, be sure to talk directly to the emerging talent in your organization. ATD Research found that organizations that used interviews with emerging talent to assess their needs were significantly more effective than organizations that did not.

Content

Gabrielle Bosché, president of the Millennial Solution, believes emerging talent will respond well to being asked about their needs and experiences. "They are an incredibly curious group that are more than happy to share with you what their needs are if you're willing to ask them," she says.

Gabrielle Bosché, president of the Millennial Solution, believes emerging talent will respond well to being asked about their needs and experiences. "They are an incredibly curious group that are more than happy to share with you what their needs are if you're willing to ask them," she says.

Content

Next, be sure to consider the delivery methods you use in development efforts. For example, the study found that organizations that use live instructor-led remote delivery are significantly more effective in their efforts to develop emerging talent than those that do not use this delivery method.

Next, be sure to consider the delivery methods you use in development efforts. For example, the study found that organizations that use live instructor-led remote delivery are significantly more effective in their efforts to develop emerging talent than those that do not use this delivery method.

Content

Rita Murray, CEO of Performance Consulting, further explains: "I try to bring relevant e-learning data to the table that demonstrates that even emerging talent, who we think want a lot of online and self-directed training, may also dial it in, because they crave interaction and real-time feedback rather than just checking the box." Thus, organizations should consider offering training that engages emerging talent.

Rita Murray, CEO of Performance Consulting, further explains: "I try to bring relevant e-learning data to the table that demonstrates that even emerging talent, who we think want a lot of online and self-directed training, may also dial it in, because they crave interaction and real-time feedback rather than just checking the box." Thus, organizations should consider offering training that engages emerging talent.

Top Five Challenges Associated With Developing Emerging Talent

Content

Lack of resources

Lack of resources

Content

32%

32%

Content

Lack of metrics to track success of development

Lack of metrics to track success of development

Content

31%

31%

Content

Managers do not view it as a priority

Managers do not view it as a priority

Content

31%

31%

Content

Failure to identify development needs for emerging talent

Failure to identify development needs for emerging talent

Content

28%

28%

Content

We only focus on emerging talent identified as high potential

We only focus on emerging talent identified as high potential

Content

27%

27%

Content

Read more from CTDO magazine : Essential talent development content for C-suite leaders.

Read more from CTDO magazine: Essential talent development content for C-suite leaders.