Tips for making the most of career development programs

Whether you're looking to advance within your current company or evaluating a new employer, career development programs are worth a close look. According to a Robert Half survey, Canadian companies are struggling to retain expertise, with nearly half (49 per cent) of leaders calling the transfer of knowledge from departing employees their biggest succession challenge.

That challenge is your opportunity. If you're actively upskilling and building new competencies, you become harder to replace and more likely to be promoted. Here are ways to use your company's career development programs to your advantage:

Look for companies that emphasize career development programs

If you're searching for a new role, pay attention to how businesses talk about growth during the interview process. Ask smart questions:

Does the organization offer tuition reimbursement?

Is there a structured onboarding program that extends beyond the first week?

Do employees get dedicated time for upskilling, or are they expected to squeeze in learning after hours?

A company that cuts its training budget first when times get tough is telling you something about its priorities. Look for employers that tie development directly to career paths, where completing a certification or leading a team project opens doors to new roles.

Focus on your individual development plan

Too many employees treat developmental conversations as a formality—something to get through rather than build on. Instead, come prepared with goals that connect your day-to-day work to where you want to be in two or three years.

If you want to move into management, ask to lead a project team or mentor a newer colleague. If you're interested in internal mobility—say, a move from accounting into financial planning—ask your manager what competencies that department looks for and start building them now.

Don't wait 12 months between check-ins, either. Ask to meet quarterly so you can adjust your plan as priorities shift. The people who get the most from career development programs are those who treat their development plans as living documents.

Use career development programs to find a mentor

Mentorship at work can accelerate your growth faster than almost any training course, but access isn't always guaranteed. Only 42 per cent of Canadian leaders say their organization currently offers mentorship programs (2026 Robert Half Demand for Skilled Talent report). If yours does, sign up. A good mentor can help you understand how decisions get made above your level and flag competencies you might be overlooking.

If no formal program exists, build an informal one. Ask your manager to connect you with someone two or three levels up who's willing to meet monthly. You could also set up a peer mentoring arrangement in which you pair with a colleague who has complementary strengths and coach each other. Someone who's strong in data visualization, for example, could offer their expertise to someone who's better at client presentations and vice versa.

Build your AI skills

Mentors and peers can also help you spot skills that are becoming more important across the organization, including emerging technologies. One skill area that comes up increasingly in these conversations is artificial intelligence—and its growing role in career progression.

A quarter of Canadian professionals say AI is already creating new opportunities for advancement, and the same proportion says it's changing the skills needed to move up. Companies are accelerating promotions for AI-savvy employees and rethinking what future leaders need to know.

If your employer doesn't yet offer AI training, don't let that hold you back. LinkedIn Learning has courses on using AI tools like ChatGPT and Copilot for everyday work tasks. Even spending 30 minutes a week experimenting with AI features in the software you already use—like smart formulas in Excel or AI writing assistants—can set you apart. And don’t worry if you’re just starting out with AI. Google offers a free AI Essentials certificate through Coursera that covers the basics in about 10 hours.

Take ownership of your career growth

Your company may offer a variety of career-growth programs, so ask about training options you haven't explored. Raise your hand for the next mentoring opportunity. Book that quarterly check-in with your manager before they do. The people who grow fastest are the ones who treat career development programs as something to actively use, not something that happens to them.

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