HR’s Customizable Professional Development Template
Employee upskilling is the key to organizational growth. Data shows that investing in professional development doubles retention, boosts profitability, and drives employee engagement (Gallup). Yet many companies struggle to give employees the support they need.
Our free professional development template empowers HR to design a framework for this important process. Download it, customize it to meet your company’s needs, and share it with everyone on the team. Managers and employees can then use it as a tool to design unique career paths that align individual and organizational goals.
Why Use an Employee Professional Development Plan Template?
A professional development template provides a structure for managers and employees to define career paths. Without a framework, conversations about employees’ growth can be vague and confusing. This template ensures supervisors and their direct reports will cover key topics, communicate important information to HR, and define specific goals. This approach empowers employees to grow their careers more effectively.
Who Should Use this Professional Development Plan Template?
HR should start by customizing the template to suit the company’s unique needs for professional development. Then, create a policy for who should follow this framework within your company. Should all managers use this for every employee on their team? Do new hires fill it out as part of the onboarding process? Is it only available to employees with direct reports, or people who have been with the company for over a year? Whatever you decide, make sure to communicate your policy with everyone on the team.
How to Use the Professional Development Plan Template Effectively
When it comes to professional development, accountability is key. This professional development plan template isn’t a set-it-and-forget-it form for employees to fill out during their annual reviews. On the contrary, team members should hold each other accountable while working towards their professional goals. Establish a culture of mutual support and personal responsibility, and you’ll encourage everyone on the team to grow.
Professional Development Plan FAQs
Learn how to use this professional development plan template.
Can I use this professional development plan template for managers?
Yes. This template works for team members at every level, including managers and executives. The questions apply universally—whether a person is developing first-time leadership skills or refining their executive capabilities. Leadership development follows the same principles across the board: identify strengths, pinpoint growth areas, create an action plan, and track progress.
Can I customize this professional development plan template?
Yes, you can customize this free template. HR and managers can update the questions to reflect your company’s values, competency models, or specific skill requirements. Just maintain the core elements: pre-meeting preparation, collaborative goal setting, clear action plans, and regular check-ins.
Is this professional development template free?
Yes, it’s completely free to download and use across your organization. If you want to explore how Paycor’s HCM platform can streamline your talent development process, schedule a guided tour—but the template is yours to use however you’d like.
Is a sample professional development plan included?
The template includes detailed instructions and prompts to guide managers and employees through the planning process. While it doesn’t include a filled-out example, the structure shows exactly what information to gather and how to organize it into actionable development plans.