Internal mobility is fast becoming a primary concern for employees. But what exactly does it mean, and how can employers implement it?
Internal mobility is a critical part of development, so before we look at it in more detail it's important to understand the key benefits of employee development more generally.
We know that at organisations who prioritise growth and development - like the UK's Best Workplaces for Development™, employees are fueled by a sense of purpose, feel valued by their employer, and give of their best to the organisation. In turn, organisations themselves reap the many rewards of a thriving, engaged workforce.
In a recent survey by Great Place To Work, UK HR professionals ranked these as the key benefits of investing in learning and development:
#1 Employee engagement and motivation
#2 Retention
#3 Filling skills gaps
#4 Improved productivity
#5 Enhanced innovation
What is internal mobility?
Internal mobility refers to the movement of employees within an organisation. This can be vertically - such as moving to a more senior position within the same department - or laterally - for example, moving to a role with the same level of seniority in a different department.
Why is internal mobility important?
Internal mobility is fast becoming a primary concern for employees. In fact, the top 2 priorities for 18 to 34-year-olds when considering a new job are opportunities for career growth within the company, and opportunities to learn and develop new skills.1
Employees want to feel fulfilled in their work, to feel a sense of purpose and to know what their next career move is. As nonlinear career paths become more common, it’s the organisations who equip all their employees with the skills and support needed to align their job role with their personal and professional goals who will truly see the benefits.
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Useful Read : Employee Training and Development: The Benefits of Upskilling or Reskilling Your Team
What are the key benefits of internal mobility?
1. It boosts employee engagement
Internal mobility plays a crucial role in boosting employee engagement within an organisation. By offering opportunities for growth and development from within, staff feel valued, motivated, and invested in their work. This not only leads to increased productivity and innovation but also fosters a sense of loyalty and commitment among employees.
2. It offers greater innovation in the workplace
Internal mobility allows employees to explore different roles and departments, bringing fresh perspectives and ideas to the table. Ultimately, promoting internal mobility can lead to a more innovative and dynamic workplace where employees are empowered to reach their full potential.
3. It helps businesses to fill skills gaps
The national skills shortage is estimated to be costing UK businesses £6.6 billion per year in higher salaries, recruitment costs and temporary staffing. Upskilling current employees can save employers money and time, as well as fulfilling organisational needs with talent who already understand and fit in with the business. When this aligns with employees’ personal and professional development, it allows both the organisation and its people to thrive.
What are some best practices for promoting internal mobility?
Here are 4 best practices you can implement to make your internal mobility initiatives a success:
1: Survey your employees
Find out what your people have to say about their experience of learning and development within your organisation so you can spot and address any trends or gaps.
2: Train your managers
Managers should feel equipped to have conversations around development, and support their people to get where they want to be. Training that gives them the skills and confidence to do this is essential.
3: Allocate a learning and development budget
This should be for all employees, to spend however they see fit. Managers can discuss with employees how they might best use it, and how it could fit into their long-term career goals.
4: Create an internal talent marketplace
This is a platform which allows an organisation to see the talent they have in the business already, and should note all employees’ skills, interests, backgrounds and career goals.
Want to find out more about how internal mobility can benefit your organisation?
Discover how you can implement internal mobility at your organisation - plus unique internal mobility programs from Certified™ great workplaces in our Learning & Development for Internal Mobility ebook.
1 LinkedIn Workplace Learning Report 2023
Employee Development
