‘No one cares about your career as much as you do’. This standout line from The Squiggly Career feels especially relevant in today’s workplace, where asking for training is essential for growth.
Requesting learning and development support at work can feel daunting. Concerns about unclear request processes can make it hard to know where to start. A fear of being seen as lacking skills can also discourage people from speaking up. If you are willing to overcome these concerns and take action, here are some considerations to help ensure your training request is approved.
Connect your goals with those of your company
Strengthen your case by showing how workplace training aligns with your organisation’s priorities. Identify the skills you want to develop, and show how they’ll benefit not just you, but your team and the wider business. Connecting your professional ambitions to business outcomes helps your manager recognise the training as a worthwhile investment.
Research training options ahead of time
Before meeting with your manager, research specific training options and providers. Come prepared with programmes that interest you and support your learning and development goals. This preparation shows your manager that you’re serious about learning and have thought through the what, who and how of your request.
Ask about budget
‘Learning and development’ is a broad term, and the types of training it covers can often be unclear. Now is the time to clarify what’s available. If the skills you’re looking to develop are included in your company’s learning and development budget, that’s ideal. If not, emphasise what your chosen training can deliver. Explain how it will improve your contribution at work and use concrete examples to illustrate your points.
Follow up with purpose
After the meeting, send a brief email summarising what was discussed and any agreed next steps. If you don’t receive a reply within a reasonable timeframe, a polite follow-up keeps the topic on your manager’s radar.
As The Squiggly Career reminds us, ‘learning has to become part of how we work every day, rather than being linked to an occasional training day’. Take responsibility for your growth by confidently asking for what you need today and in the years ahead.
A note from Your London Tutor
At Your London Tutor (YLT), our expert English trainers work with companies and independent learners to create personalised language programmes. Book your free consultation here to discuss how language training can help your professional development.
