Why continued training important as a finance professional

How can we stand out at work if we do not renew our skills?

The importance of Professional Training is increasingly evident, both for those who employ and for the employees who are part of a certain organisation. Professional training increases productivity and profitability. It updates and validates knowledge and differentiates professionals.

What the law tells us

In Portugal the Labour Code - Law No. 7/2009, Article 131 - on Continuous Training states that all companies have the obligation to provide vocational training to their employees.
The employer must promote the development and adaptation of the worker's qualifications, with a view to improving their employability and increasing the productivity and competitiveness of the company;
The worker is entitled, each year, to a minimum number of forty hours of continuous training or, if contracted for a term equal to or exceeding three months, to a minimum number of hours proportional to the duration of the contract that year.

Benefits for organisations

The success of organizations may also depend on the tools and preparation that each employee has in his/her power to work (personal and professional skills).
Companies that support and invest in the training of their employees gain a competitive advantage and gain the power to attract and retain talent.
Professionals are increasingly looking for companies that allow them to constantly update their knowledge, where they feel they are evolving and recognised.

Advantages for professionals

• Keep up to date with market trends, new technologies, new software, legislation, practices, requirements, etc.
• Consolidate the skills you already have through training.
  
• Training can help you get new positions and job opportunities through the acquisition of new skills.

What to do?

If you are employed, ask your company about its training programme. Companies should have annual or multi-annual training plans. If you are looking for a job, you can also raise this issue in the interview.
You can use different online resources: MOOCS, Openclassroom, etc. There are many e- learning platforms you can use and a huge amount of information available and accessible. Search for distance learning, after-school courses, modular courses, workshops, events in your industry, seminars, conferences, etc. Encourage networking between peers and training staff.

MOOCs (Massive Online Open Courses) are open online courses that are available to anyone with internet access and require no minimum requirements for those wishing to attend.
OpenClassrooms are courses that are made available in on-demand format or at specific periods, they are free but the learner can choose to pay a fee to obtain an authenticated certificate.

Continuing education enables:

• Greater knowledge and new skills
• Increased productivity
• Greater market differentiation.
• Greater updating. Increased competitiveness.
• Greater adaptation capacity.
• Greater likelihood of professional insertion or career change.
• Greater fulfillment.

Benefits for the Finance professional:

A basic university education is far from sufficient to apply for the position of financial administrator. The key to succeeding in finance is to develop the digital and technical skills that allow you to evolve. The ability to demonstrate diverse experience is highly valued in this field.
Participating in executive training programmes with people of similar career profile and ambition, provides new contacts and business and career opportunities that are of unquestionable value. Surround yourself with environments where innovation and creativity are a constant.
Training allows you to feel secure in the knowledge that you are doing the right job.
In finance you must have a vision for the future, be able to work in a team, be an excellent communicator and a visionary in terms of financial strategy.

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