Why investing in learning and development is good business
Investing in people is not just a smart strategy – it’s essential for building strong teams, driving performance, and achieving long-term success. In today’s fast-paced workforce, one truth stands out: organisations that invest in their people, win. Learning and development (L&D) are no longer a “nice to have” – it’s crucial for business success, employee retention, and client satisfaction.
At Altivio Consulting, we work with employment service providers navigating complex operating environments where staff turnover is high, client needs are varied, and compliance is non-negotiable. That’s why our learning and development solutions are built to do more than tick boxes: they build capability, confidence, and continuity.
The rising cost of inaction
The financial case for investing in staff development is clearer than ever. Consider these findings:
- In 2024, Australian businesses were expected to spend $8 billion on L&D – up 15% from the previous year. ¹
- The average cost to hire a new employee in Australia has surged to $23,000, more than double the cost in 2023.²
- Replacing an employee can cost up to 1.5 times their annual salary, factoring in both direct and indirect expenses. ³
- Staff turnover has cost Australian businesses $3.8 billion over a 12-month period. ⁴
In industries like employment services, where continuity of care is essential, particularly for clients facing disadvantage – the cost of staff turnover is more than financial. It affects client trust, service quality, and outcomes.
A study specific to the disability employment services sector showed that on average reducing job demands or increasing job resources by just 20% can lower turnover intention by 10% – a 50% return on investment. However, to achieve this impact, investments must reduce job pressures and boost support consistently and reliably to counter day-to-day fluctuations.5
Why L&D should be part of your workforce strategy
Here’s the good news: organisations that proactively invest in training and onboarding can reduce these risks and strengthen their workforce.
- For every $1 invested in L&D, businesses gain an average return of $4.70 in revenue per employee. 6
- 75% of employees say they would stay longer with a company that invests in their development. 7
This makes learning and development one of the most effective retention tools available, especially in employment services, where high staff churn has long been a challenge.
Onboarding matters
A structured onboarding and induction process sets the tone for an employee’s entire experience.
When staff feel prepared and supported from day one, they’re more likely to engage with their work, understand their responsibilities, and deliver better outcomes for clients.
At Altivio, we provide:
- Pre-requisite compliance training to meet contract and legislative obligations
- Transitional and foundational learning pathways for immediate job readiness and long-term capability
- Role-specific modules that deepen understanding across different parts of the business (optional add-on)
- Flexible delivery options, including self-paced and virtual formats, that recognise diverse adult learning styles and preferences. Gone are the days of lecture-style group induction sessions that don’t provide learners with the opportunity to contextualise learning before moving onto the next topic. Our flexible delivery ensures learners flex their natural learning style to fully understand the topic.
When staff have access to comprehensive training, including opportunities to learn about other roles, they’re more likely to stay, grow, and contribute meaningfully to the organisation.
Build a workforce that stays and thrives
In human services, where trust and continuity are key to client outcomes, the real cost of staff turnover goes far beyond recruitment spend. A revolving door of employees can erode client relationships and service quality. By contrast, a well-trained, stable team builds stronger connections, provides better support, and ultimately delivers better results. That’s why forward-thinking providers are investing in L&D not just for compliance, but as a strategic advantage.
Altivio can help you start strong – and stay strong
Whether you’re preparing for the Inclusive Employment Australia (IEA) contract commencement in November or onboarding new staff throughout the year, Altivio’s learning and development offering is designed to help your team hit the ground running – and keep building from there.
- Fully aligned with IEA contract requirements
- Accessible 24/7 via a flexible, virtual platform
- Customisable to your service delivery model (optional add-on)
- Supports onboarding, engagement, and retention
Get your team ready – partner with Altivio today
Let Altivio Consulting help your team start strong and stay strong by building confident, capable teams who are contract-ready from day one. Talk to us.
Sources:
3 https://www.bentleys.com.au/resources/cost-of-high-employee-turnover/
4 https://enboarder.com/blog/cost-of-employee-turnover/
6 https://deakinco.com/resource/media-release/
7 https://www.hrcoach.com.au/post/how-does-learning-and-development-contribute-to-employee-engagement?)
