Does Professional Learning Excite You?

When people hear of ‘professional learning’ they often have predetermined ideas of what to expect. Out of touch speakers or someone from their own department going through the motions with rhetoric they already know. High in cost, limited choice and generally associated with ‘accredited hours’’ required by the peak body for continuing registration.

Private or government, the theme is generally the same - ‘CYA’. For those uninitiated it is ‘Cover Your Arse’.  I have worked in both sectors across multiple industries and the one constant is that professional learning does very little to actually develop the person in what they believe makes them a professional. Sure it reinforces legal requirements…generally to protect the employer if you make a mistake, but what happened to actually developing you. What happens to the development of your passion, skills and wellbeing?

I became a school teacher to explore my innovative, passionate and creative side. After graduating Uni I found that the only way to increase my ‘English subject teaching’ skills was to undertake more study…at my own expense. It was always up to me. The schools maintained compulsory PD, but it was legislation over creativity every time. Where was ‘my’ development, where was my session to show me how to engage in better teaching? How would I master the skills required for film study, poetry analysis, multi-modal delivery, and new technology?

Like many professions the training required to enter a profession is a starting point. My English teaching degree was a 4 year double degree, covering the Arts component (English and Geography subjects) and Teaching/Education. I had to choose 6 ‘English’ subject specialties from 31 on offer. I always felt that left me short on specific skills. What about the other 25?

According to the latest research from TAFE, Accounting Times and the ABS, Australian business spends around $1300 per person on professional development. The institute I used to use charged around $500 per hour, meaning I was lucky to get 3 hours per year of paid PD. CYA. So with staff turnover so high, the great resignation and work realignment post-Covid, the increasing millennial and generational attitudes to multiple careers and better employment conditions, why are we not addressing this with more personalized service? I left my role due to this. Would I have stayed in the same capacity with that personal investment?

Have we even asked what our people want? Do we know what really inspires them to come to work each day, light that fire and get better results? What would make them better as people? What can I do to make this about them. About you. The increasingly common question that interviewees now ask of employers is “what will you do for me?” That may be counter-cultural to past employee relations but it is completely honest. It is a sign that the employee wants you to invest in them, as a worker, as a person, in their 24 hour existence that impacts on their work. They want to be part of the team, give more, but know that they will also be supported beyond the aging concept of just being a number.

What would you like as professional development?