Here is this week’s roundup of of news, views, research and insights for those working in talent, skills, learning and development as selected by TJ’s editor
New research shows developing on-the-job skills improves retention
LinkedIn has published its Global Talent Trends report that investigates the latest labour-market trends to understand how these are impacting candidates, employees, and workplaces.
The findings that use data from both LinkedIn’s Economic Graph and community insights show a general slowdown in hiring, although internal mobility has improved in entertainment providers (+28%), administrative and support services (+23%), and professional services (+18%). Globally Generation X experiences the highest internal mobility rate (36%), followed by Millennials (31%) and Generation Z (27%).
However, employees are more likely to leave their employers than look for an internal move: In the UK, employees are 1.3x more likely to consider leaving their company than look for an internal move.
While organisations whose employees learn skills on the job have a 7% higher retention rate at the 3-year mark.
Read the full report from LinkedIn here
New figures reveals slight improvement in the confidence of small businesses
This week the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) published the small business index, showing a confidence measure of minus 2.8 points. Whilst this is termed a ‘significant upturn’ from last year’s minus 45.8 points, it still doesn’t display high levels of confidence across the UK’s small business leaders. This is another sign that the cost-of-living crisis is still affecting small businesses.
Another study by Blackhawk Network has revealed that one of the factors effecting a company’s confidence is the lack of ability to provide the cost-saving benefits that employees are calling out for currently. The main barrier to implementing these benefits being costs.
Read the full report from the FSB here
HSBC wins Disability Smart Learning and Development Award
HSBC won the Disability Smart Learning and Development Award at the Disability Smart Awards 2023 held in London last week. HSBC received the award in recognition of their innovative, engaging, and most of all, inclusive and accessible learning and development solutions. The judging panel chose HSBC for developing a unique and high-quality accessibility awareness eLearning course to upskill staff.
In their feedback, the judging panel said: “The learning module was well considered and offered real insight into the everyday experiences of disabled people through film and documentaries, and the simulations of accessibility scenarios from a user perspective. The tools are also fully accessible allowing all staff to have a personalised learning experience.
“Disabled people were involved in the creation and delivery of the module and their feedback had been sought and considered throughout. The final product is impressive.”
Diane Lightfoot, CEO of Business Disability Forum, said: “The Disability Smart Awards are about challenging organisations to rethink what is possible on disability inclusion. All our winners and finalists have done just that. We congratulate them on their achievements and thank them for sharing their learnings with us and the business community.”
Find out more about all the winners here
New opportunities for the engineers of tomorrow
Aston University will be offering a masters degree in smart manufacturing using the research expertise at the University’s College of Engineering and Physical Sciences.
The course will teach a wide range of hands-on skills in smart manufacturing to create innovative solutions for complex manufacturing problems through developing state-of-the-art technologies.
Programme director Dr Muftooh Siddiqi said: “Smart manufacturing is of tremendous significance in the field of manufacturing and is a way to the future.
“This programme will embed the technological revolution deep within the mindset of engineers and teach the skills to design and develop new technologies that embrace the challenges of future manufacturing.”
The postgraduate degree starts in September and will include teaching of digital twin technology – a virtual replica used to improve efficiency by simulating manufacturing production processes. Students will learn to use it to improve production scheduling, predict equipment failure and improve maintenance.
More details about smart manufacturing are available here
Almost half of UK employees find their work exhausting
Forty-six percent UK workers are finding their work exhausting, with 40% feeling emotionally frustrated. These are the findings from O.C. Tanner’s 2023 Global Culture Report which collected and analysed the perspectives of over 36,000 employees, leaders, HR practitioners, and business executives from 20 countries around the world, including 4,653 from the U.K.
The report suggests a number of reasons why workers are suffering both physically and emotionally, with a poor balance between their working lives and personal lives more likely to result in exhaustion and potential burnout. In fact, when an employee doesn’t have the balance right, they are 89% more likely to suffer burnout. An organisational culture that doesn’t prioritise staff recognition will also increase the odds of poor mental health, with employees who feel appreciated for their efforts and results, 80% less likely to suffer burnout.
Read the full report here
