Get the right endorsements
A prime first step is to win the support of leadership and human resources, who will have to be on board to pay for staff development, which can include certifications and raises, Barr says.
For union workplaces, starting a conversation about advancement with union representatives can prevent misunderstandings and logistical challenges, says Byron Drake, associate director for retail operations at the University of Montana in Missoula. By looping in union groups, UM Dining avoided them feeling cut out of the bargained open-recruitment process.