The Penn Foster Blog

Veterinary medicine is currently a $45.9 billion dollar industry and that number is only expected to grow over the next decade. As more pet owners consider their animals to be an essential part of the family, they’re focusing on securing high quality veterinary care. In order to provide that, your veterinary practice should be aware of the challenges the industry could face, as well as commonly shared goals in the field. We surveyed 80 practice managers and practice owners to better understand the state of the industry in 2020 and what needs practices have to grow their client list, improve both employee and client retention, and more. Here’s what we learned.

When we talk about employee upskilling, one topic comes up again and again: microcredentials. Many in the training and development industry seem to agree that microcredentials are a good idea. In fact, Penn Foster, in partnership with Credly, the industry-standard digital credential platform has already issued nearly 2,000 microcredentials in the form of badges.

Today, companion animals are considered members of the family,and veterinary practices are vital to maintaining the health and happiness of the pets we love. As the world settles into the “new normal” in response to the COVID-19 crisis, essential businesses like vet clinics and hospitals are working ceaselessly to establish a balance between providing customers and clients with service and keeping employees safe. As veterinary healthcare is already a high-stress field for employees, implementing safety measures and following state and federal guidelines isn’t only beneficial for employee mental and physical health - it’s vital to ensuring your practice weathers this unprecedented global event.

Manufacturing executives continue to voice concerns regarding critical talent shortages faced by leaders in today’s industry. Latest surveys by Deloitte and The Manufacturing Institute reveal an unprecedented majority of experts in agreement - we are facing a talent crisis in the US manufacturing sector. Leaders in education and upskilling suggest this distress on the workforce is the result of automation’s inevitable impact on employee workflow. Put simply- manufacturing jobs increasingly involve digital skills, and current employees accustomed to steadily obsolete manufacturing roles are not being sufficiently trained to work within this new, tech-centric environment.

Most people understand that good oral hygiene and regular visits to the dentist can improve their overall health and well-being. They make getting their teeth professionally cleaned a part of their family’s healthcare routine. Yet, even people who count their pets as part of the family usually don’t think to bring their pet to a veterinary dentist unless there’s an emergency.

Corporate responsibility is no short-lived trend. In fact, it’s only grown momentum over the last five years as more corporations, investors, and consumers make spending decisions based on company values. The impact a company has on its community, workers, and the world at large also informs financial success.

Over the last decade, online learning and training have become the norm for forward-thinking employers looking to upskill their workforce and build effective career paths that increase employee retention rates. The benefits of digital workforce development are extensive, with the return on investment often far outpacing expected outcomes. But successfully implementing a training program for your workers doesn’t end at simply offering education options; you have to ensure adoption and engagement from the outset. One easy strategy? Help your learners navigate online training from day one.

Since lines between our work and home lives have blurred more than ever before, it’s vital for employers to encourage as much balance as is possible for their employees’ physical and mental well-being. There are small yet effective steps that businesses can take, if they haven’t already, to help employees perform their best during this stressful time, while maintaining their sanity.

Smart business leaders know that employee training should do more than help workers be effective today. It should prepare them for the work they will be asked to do in the future. There’s just one problem. No one really knows what the future will bring. In this uncertain environment, how can employee training and development future proof your workforce?

The manufacturing industry continues to gain rapid momentum throughout the United States. According to research jointly conducted by Deloitte and the Manufacturers Alliance for Productivity and Innovation (MAPI), over the next five years more than 50% of manufacturers plan to enter a new market, and almost all plan to expand existing sites or open new facilities in countries with existing operations.