Design Firm Implements Creative, Self-Directed Professional Development Program
PGAV Destinations, a global leader in the planning and design of unique destinations, has launched a brand new, empowering professional development program for its staff – “PGAV GO.”
The program allots $1, 500 annually to each of the firm’s designers and architects to identify professional development opportunities that help them reach their growth goals. The account can be used for a variety of opportunities, including college courses, professional affiliation memberships and conference attendance, certifications and licenses, reading materials, and admission to destinations for study.
“We want our designers to imagine their own futures and know that we’re here to help empower them to achieve those visions, ” says PGAV Destinations chairman and principal Mike Konzen. “PGAV GO is the latest iteration in our professional development investments.”
With the incredible myriad of backgrounds within PGAV Destinations, from biologists to designers, marketers to architects, the firm faced the challenge of trying to create a standard professional development course that helped each employee equally. PGAV GO’s customizable nature helps address that hurdle while building upon the firm’s creative enterprise culture, with room for employees to propose opportunities that weren’t initially outlined. After completing a brief application, the employee meets with a “GO! Advisor” to discuss the proposal, and the two work together to craft the most impactful experience.
Just one month after the program’s inception, numerous PGAV Go proposals have already been received. During 2014, employees will be actively pursuing foreign language courses, master classes in literature and graphic interpretive panels, creative team leadership self-designed courses, and much more.
In August 2013, the firm took its entire staff to the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex to explore and learn from the firm’s latest and largest opening, Space Shuttle Atlantis. PGAV GO is the newest evolution of an inclusive professional development program for the firm.
“This is a tremendous opportunity for you to grow both personally and professionally; to work towards meeting your professional goals; and to work towards becoming a stronger asset to the company, ” said PGAV VP Ned Diestelkamp at last month’s annual PGAV kick-off meeting. “So in the spirit of the new program – let’s GO!”
