New Year, New Skills: Why Workforce Development Isn’t Just a January Fad

  Joe Swindells Chartered MCIPD  |   6th January 2025 |   4 mins

Like the local gym in January, industry’s workforce needs support, coaching, and the will to push through the hard parts.

It’s January. Gyms are full of eager new members, most of whom will stop turning up by February. We’ve all seen it: bright-eyed beginners nervously approaching the unfamiliar machines, trying to figure out how to get started. They want to change something, to make themselves better, but without guidance, encouragement, and a solid plan, many will quietly give up.

Sound familiar? It’s a bit like workforce training and development. Companies start with good intentions- investing in their people, wanting them to grow – but without proper support, things can fizzle out.

Why Training Feels Like a Gym Membership in January

Just like that gym newbie struggling with a weights machine or exercise bike, workers need to know how to use new skills properly. Otherwise, they risk “injury” – burnout, frustration, or simply feeling out of their depth. And managers? They’re like the gym coaches, crucial in helping people figure things out, stay motivated, and push through when progress seems slow.

Industry in general and particularly the construction industry in 2025 is facing some hefty challenges:

• A tight labour market means fewer skilled workers are available, so developing the ones you already have is critical.
• Economic uncertainty means companies need adaptable teams who can pivot when necessary.
• Worker expectations have changed—people want more than just a pay packet. They want to feel valued, to grow, and to have a future.

The days of “show up, do the job, go home” are long gone. People want more – more development, more progression, more meaning. And if they don’t find it where they are, they’ll go elsewhere.

Managers Are the PTs of Workforce Development

Good managers are like great personal trainers – they don’t just bark instructions from the sidelines. They:

• Demonstrate how it’s done: They show people how to approach new challenges safely and effectively.
• Encourage through the tough times: When motivation wanes, they’re there to remind workers why they started.
• Track progress and celebrate wins: Even small improvements matter. Recognising effort goes a long way.
• Adapt the plan when needed: Not everyone moves at the same pace. Good leaders adjust their approach to keep development on track.

In the same way that gym-goers who stick with it see results over time, well-supported teams eventually make development part of their routine. It’s no longer a “new thing” – it becomes part of how they work, learn, and grow.

So, What’s the Resolution?

This year, instead of making a New Year’s resolution that fizzles out by February, how about setting a different kind of goal—one that sticks? Commit to real, ongoing development for your people. Make training and learning part of the culture, not just a January initiative.

At The OM Group, we work with construction companies to build stronger teams – coaching leaders, training managers, and ensuring workforce development isn’t just something you sign up for and forget about. Think of us as your industry PTs, ready to help your team through the tough bits, keep things moving, and ultimately reach their goals.

So, what’s your goal for 2025? Let’s make it a year where training and development become more than just a new year’s fad. Ready to get started? We’ll be right here when you are.

Happy New Year – and here’s to building stronger teams and brighter futures.