Convince your boss to give you more time to learn new technologies
Although developers have easy access to a plethora of free training programs and open source projects, finding the time for professional technical training is easier said than done. Experts claim that software developers need around 20 hours a week to practice and learn new skills. Here's a suggestion for you: after getting approval from your boss, simply devote a few hours from your work week to professional development. But what kind of reasoning could convince your manager?
In this article, we've listed a few ways for you to convince your boss to give you time for professional development.
Push the right buttons
Bosses are more likely to approve training efforts that lead to noticeable improvements in code quality or reduced debugging time.
When speaking with your boss, highlight the end result of the training, such as your newfound ability to create automated tests or streamlining the development process. Management is generally always interested in new technologies or techniques that bring a competitive advantage. Newly learned tools or programming languages that lead to the development of new products and features are good arguments that could convince your manager. Also offer to share the newly learned knowledge with your teammates.
In addition, many managers want to make their employees happy and keep fluctuation as low as possible, especially among developers. As long as your request for on-the-job training is reasonable and your work doesn't suffer too much, your boss will agree.
Many studies indicate that employee training and development programs significantly increase profitability.
Present creative solutions
Of course, it can be a problem for your manager if you ask for time to improve your technical skills when there is just enough work to do and the budget for additional employees is lacking. In order to achieve what you want, do not cause your manager any additional problems, but come up with as many possible solutions. Create a plan that works for everyone involved! For example, offer to increase the productivity of your entire team by sharing what you've learned.
In exchange for the time you want to devote to the sideline activities, you can also offer to better train your “junior” to carry out your duties. In order to make the time of your personal training as effective as possible for the company, you can also offer to spend more time between, rather than during, the large projects for the training.
To discover new technologies and socialize, attend meetups or conferences that also benefit the organization. To ease the strain on your team, keep in touch while you're away, or put in a few extra hours to compensate when you return.
"Knowledge is the secret ingredient that drives change, innovation and advancement in technology", what boss could say no to that :-)
