Use of English

Professional Development

In many workplaces, employees are (0) EXPECTED to improve their skills throughout their careers. Some people do this because they want to keep (1) .......... with changes in their field, while others hope it will lead (2) .......... a promotion. Employers often encourage staff to take (3) .......... training courses, especially when new technology is introduced. However, professional development is not only about attending classes. It can also (4) .......... learning from colleagues, reading specialist articles, or taking on new responsibilities. In fact, people usually make the greatest progress when they are willing to step (5) .......... of their comfort zone. Of course, this does not mean that every opportunity should be accepted without question. Workers need to think carefully and decide whether a course or project is relevant (6) .......... their long-term goals. Managers, for their part, should provide support and give useful feedback so that employees can build (7) .......... their strengths. In the end, companies benefit when their staff are confident, adaptable and capable (8) .......... dealing with change.