According to recent studies, one of the biggest challenges facing HR professionals today is the skills gap, which they report seems to be widening instead of closing due to technological advancements. The lack of science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) skills in the talent pool has many employers scrambling to fill empty positions, while most college courses are not preparing students for the types of jobs that need to be filled. But it’s not only those interested in entering the workforce who must be up to date on their skill sets. Current employees as well must constantly be learning to stay relevant in today’s quickly changing workplaces. So who’s responsible for making sure employee skills remain current? While there is certainly an element of personal responsibility, it’s beneficial for employers to take the reins on employee development. Employers who directly invest in the advancement of their employees' skills will see increases in creativity and productivity from their employees, often affecting the bottom line in a positive way. They will also see increased levels of engagement with fewer instances of turnover.