Training and Professional Development in an IT Community

This paper describes training and professional development activities at a mid-sized IT consulting firm over the last roughly 15 years. These activities have successfully engaged many of the consultants and provided significant career bonuses and advantages for the company. We present the types of activities, their effectiveness and success, and the evolution of professional development efforts over time. Many of these activities proved effective and valuable and are still in use, including annual skill reviews and development recommendations, regular organized training and discussion type events, training and materials reimbursements, and escalation support. Challenges and failures with other training and activities are described. Recommendations are made for other organizations’ own professional development programs.