The latest L&D news, reports, research and updates, personally compiled by TJ’s Editor, Jo Cook
AI skills gap widens: 71% of AI talent are men, while only 22% of baby boomers receive training – reveals Randstad data
As the demand for talent with AI skills skyrockets, growing fivefold in the last year, Randstad’s latest report, Understanding Talent Scarcity: AI and Equity, has found that there is also an AI skills gap taking hold. The insights were derived from data from nearly three million job profiles and the experiences of over 12,000 talent around the world.
The data brings into focus a stark divide in access to AI training and opportunities, with 42% more men than women reporting AI proficiency, and just 22% of Baby Boomers and 28% of Gen X have been offered AI skilling opportunities, compared to 45% of Gen Z and 43% of Millennials.
“Visual clutter” affects brain processing
A Yale study explores how visual clutter influences perception, showing that its location affects information efficiency in the brain. Researchers found that while clutter does not change the order of information transfer, it impacts the efficiency of neural communication in the primary visual cortex.
Growing the evidence base on how adults learn with technology
For more than 25 years, Learning and Work Institute’s Adult Participation in Learning Survey has provided insights on who’s learning and how they learn. 95% of adults in the 2024 survey report using technology in their learning across both formal and independent settings.
Nearly nine in ten learners (86 per cent) identify benefits in which technology is an enabler; for example, allowing them to learn at home (48 per cent), at a convenient time (43 per cent) or at a convenient pace (40 per cent). In addition to enabling adults to learn, technology is also aiding or enhancing the learning experience, including by making learning more interesting or engaging (28 per cent) or increasing confidence (24 per cent).
One in two managers with children consider quitting over ‘parent guilt’
For half of managers with children, balancing their job with family life has become an overwhelming challenge, leaving many to feel like they’re failing both at home and at work, new research from Avilio has found.
The productivity and performance coaching provider commissioned an independent survey of 739 UK adults in management positions, 392 of which were parents. It found that 72% of managers agree that being a parent has significantly changed their working habits, and almost half (48%) experience ‘parent-guilt’ at least sometimes.
What will bring Brits back to the office?
Many companies today are making office work mandatory again, either for a certain number of days each week or full-time. In fact, more than half of the people surveyed (55%) said that the primary reason they spend time in the office is because their company requires them to be there a certain number of times each week.
Just under a third (30%) of respondents believe that they can build better relationships with colleagues when working from the office, and just over a quarter (27%)—feel more productive there.
UK employees set to see wages rising higher than inflation for the first time since the pandemic
While UK inflation has notably declined over the past year, the sharp rise in the cost of living in previous years continues to impact individuals and businesses. As a result, salary budgeting for 2025 might be a challenging task for companies. To provide a helpful resource for next year’s salary budgeting process, UK-based pay and reward consultancy 3R Strategy has now launched its 4th Global Salary Planning Report.
In 2022, with UK inflation soaring to 8.6%, most organisations set their pay budgets at 5%. A year later, inflation dropped to 6.3%, yet the median pay increase budget remained at the same level. However, with inflation at 1.7% in September 2024, the lowest in over three years, and the 2024 median pay increase budget at 4%, with 2025 forecasted at 3.5%, this suggests that UK employees are likely to see wages rising at a higher rate than inflation for the first time since the pandemic.
2 in 3 UK corporate leaders concerned fraudsters will exploit workers
Research from the UK’s leading fraud prevention service, Cifas, has revealed that nearly two-thirds (63%) of decision makers in large UK businesses are worried that employees will be targeted by fraudsters, with 50% of respondents fearing staff will become an ‘insider threat’.
As many businesses prepare to recognise International Fraud Awareness Week (17-23 November), a recent Cifas survey showed leaders in charge of staff training are increasingly worried about the impact fraud could have on their organisations.
Speexx Exchange 2024: Line-up of top speakers to leading HR and L&D conference announced
Speexx has announced the lineup of speakers for the 14th edition of Speexx Exchange, the premier event for HR and L&D professionals. This year’s conference theme, “Shaping the Future of Work,” will explore the latest trends, challenges, and innovations shaping the workplace of tomorrow. The event will take place on November 27th at the Intercontinental Hotel Berlin, with options for both in-person and immersive online participation.
