CIPD: Develop skills to be ready for the future

11:39 26th June 2009

An employment advisor has emphasised how important it is for people to develop themselves to weather out the current dark days of the economic climate.

Dr John McGurk, advisor of learning and talent development at the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD), said: "It is absolutely vital that people develop skills and capability in difficult times because to be ready for change, you need to be continually learning and developing."

There are a number of ways people can do this, he added.

Signing up to learn new skills, such as computer courses or IT training and taking on new tasks to stretch capabilities could be a good place to start.

Dr McGurk also recommended cost-effective measures such as reading more widely or going online to learn more about something new and interesting.

The CIPD is the professional organisation for people involved in management and development of employees.

Edge reported this week that over 3.6 million vocational qualifications were awarded last year - an increase of 350,000 from 2007.