What, according to the author, employees need to do in order to grow within an organization?

Directions: Read the passage and answer the following question.

While economic recession has led many firms to freeze hiring and cutting corners, it has also given an opportunity to employees to enhance their career prospects. Difficult times can certainly be utilized effectively for learning and developing knowledge base and skills.

In the current scenario, organizations are leaving no stone unturned in allowing their employees to enhance career prospects by acquiring additional qualifications. At a reputed Pharma company capability enhancement is a part of HR framework and strategy for the long term. The pharmaceutical major actively collaborates with the best institutes of science and management to build long term technical and leadership strengths. They have collaborated with a prominent IIM in leadership development efforts for their top talent. They have also recently tied up with some leading institutes to enable their employees to pursue their PhD while at work.

Unisys also has a career management programme in place to give its employees the opportunity to grow within the organization. Unisys University, for example, offers a selection of programmes, both instructors led as well as self paced trainings so that employees can make best possible use of this facility depending on whatever suited them the best. In addition to the internal courses, they also encourage employees to undertake additional qualifications that would enhance their career prospects.

Another leading financial services company encourages employees to acquire industry specific certifications in financial planning, certified financial analysis etc. For a broking company, industry certifications are mandatory for specific jobs. For example, cash market dealer certification is necessary for working as a cash market dealer and AMFI certification is mandatory for selling mutual funds.

The major challenge in pursuing an additional qualification along with a job is that the employee needs to manage his/her time well in order to accommodate both. One has to deliver on the job and also meet the demands of the course he/she is pursuing. The biggest challenge is self motivation to pursue further studies. Most youngsters remain content with whatever qualification they have. Cost of pursuing a course, which is on the expensive side, is also a factor. Though education loans are available, the interest rates are high. Absence from work, often on loss of pay, to prepare and appear for exams is another dissuading factor.