The latest L&D news, reports, research and updates, personally compiled by TJ’s Editor, Jo Cook. This week: AI isn’t just about tech—it’s about transformation. KPMG’s latest global study offers a framework to embed AI into business strategy, culture and operations. Find out more about brain-computer interfaces and L&D events
Are you ready to make a difference? The eLa1000 Accessibility Assessment has launched
The eLa1000 Accessibility Assessment project led by Susi Miller – industry-leading eLearning accessibility expert, LPI Learning Professional of the Year 2025 and author of Designing Accessible Learning Content. This ground-breaking initiative aims to benchmark the accessibility of the Learning and Development (L&D) industry, and empower 1000 organisations to evaluate and enhance the accessibility of their learning content. By participating, you’ll contribute to gathering vital data to address systemic issues and drive meaningful, measurable change in accessibility across the sector.
You’ll receive your customised eLa1000 Accessibility Assessment Report, a free, detailed assessment with tailored feedback, practical guidance, and useful resources to help your organisation improve the accessibility and inclusivity of your learning content and strategic approach.
Latest KPMG global research underpins a new blueprint for maximizing AI’s value potential
New research into AI adoption across almost 1,400 AI executives reveals that AI is more than just technology—it is an enterprise-wide transformation. To unlock AI’s full potential, businesses must go beyond technology investments and address strategy, culture, and operations holistically.
Intelligent industries – blueprints for creating value through AI-drive transformation, introduces a framework for organisations to accelerate AI-driven growth by embedding AI across all aspects of their business. In a series of industry reports KPMG will explore sector-specific insights for industries such as banking, insurance, technology, retail, energy, manufacturing, life sciences and healthcare.
The Leadership Development group announces top industry trends for leaders across the US health ecosystem
For leaders across the health ecosystem, accelerating innovation, embracing AI, and driving M&A activities are crucial for success today. These are some of the important industry trends The Leadership Development Group (TLD Group), a global talent development firm, report on in their new report What It Takes to Lead Across the Health Ecosystem – Top Industry Trends & Solutions for Developing Leaders Today.
TLD Group reports on the critical challenges impacting health ecosystem leaders today, including artificial intelligence, health equity, mental health, M&A activities, and provides talent development solutions aimed at building leaders’ ability to respond to change.
Only 35% of employers with overseas employees benchmark their benefits to ensure they comply with legislation
Legislation regarding what benefits must be provided differs in virtually every nation around the world. Given that each individual country’s legislation may also change regularly, it can be extremely difficult, if nigh impossible, for employers to be sure they are complying. With, for example, some working visas only being granted if the right healthcare cover is in place, it is vital that employers benchmark to ensure that benefits are in line with legislation.
The Promise and challenges of brain–computer interfaces
The evolution of brain–computer interfaces (BCIs) has brought dramatic possibilities for neurofeedback, communication and medical interventions over the last 50 years. Locked-in syndrome, Parkinson’s disease and paralysed patients’ lives can now be improved with emerging technologies that connect neural signals directly with computational hardware and software.
Currently, the market for BCI is divided between two disparate classes of technology: non-invasive and surgically invasive. These technologies have afforded amazing results thus far, dramatically improving the lives of their users and setting the groundwork for BCI to become a revolutionary technology over the next decade.
AI and the skills gap under the spotlight at UKCW London
The rise of AI in construction and its effect on the skills gap – both positive and negative – will be one of the key topics of conversation at next month’s UK Construction Week London, which returns to the ExCeL from May 7th to 9th.
UKCW Advisory Board member, Anne Daw, Head of MMC Delivery, HLM Architects, added: “AI has the potential to dramatically increase productivity in design and construction – particularly if it is used as a tool to assist, rather than as a replacement for a skilled and experienced workforce. We need to improve our recruitment and retention of new talent into the construction sector.”
Digital profession expansion will ‘replace 7,000 contractors and save up to £500m a year’, Whitehall chief claims
Ministers’ targets for expanding the proportion of the civil service accounted for by digital experts will allow departments to stop working with about 7,000 contractors – resulting in potential cumulative savings of half a billion pounds per year, according to Whitehall’s operations chief.
In a letter to the Public Accounts Committee, civil service chief operating officer Cat Little provided MPs with an update on efforts to ensure government is equipped with adequate digital, data technology, and cybersecurity skills. This upskilling takes place against the backdrop of a stated aim for 10% of the government workforce to be comprised of digital, data and cyber professionals. Between 2018 and 2025, the proportion more than doubled: from 2.8% to a current tally of around 6%.
Read more on our sister website Public Technology.
Planday uses new research to launch The Manager’s Toolkit to empower managers to tackle burnout head-on
Planday – the shift scheduling software by Xero – has released The Manager’s Toolkit: a guide for managers for beating burnout and building better teams using research highlighting the depth of the burnout crisis within the UK’s hospitality industry. The new research polled 2,000 UK based shift workers as well as 250 hospitality shift worker managers.
- 76% of hospitality managers experience burnout
- 85% of shift workers have experienced poor mental health
CLO100 Host Exclusive L&D Summer Forum for Learning Leaders
CLO100’s Learning Leaders Summer Forum, set for 7th & 8th July 2025, promises to be a pivotal event for senior L&D professionals. Centred around the theme ‘Elevating L&D Leadership,’ the two-day residential forum combines expert insights, practical learning, and valuable networking opportunities.
Attendees can look forward to keynote presentations by Laura Overton and Nick Shackleton-Jones, as well as interactive sessions tackling board-level challenges, global trends, and strategies for driving business impact through learning. This event offers learning leaders a unique chance to align strategies with business objectives and shape the future of educational practices within their organisations.
Previewing the Learning Technologies 2025 Conference
The Learning Technologies Conference has been at the forefront of exploring trends and equipping professionals with insights for over 25 years, and we are delighted to be back again for 2025.
As this is a pivotal year for the learning and development industry, we’ve invited our conference chairs and speakers to share what they think makes 2025 so important for L&D, and also give teasers into their upcoming sessions!
Contribute to research
Now in its tenth year, Fosway Group are pleased to include you in the most comprehensive survey of organisational learning. The survey aims to get under the skin of the priorities and demands being placed on L&D teams by stakeholders and learners. This year’s survey explores:
– learning priorities
– learning investment
– AI’s impact on L&D teams
– creating effective learning experiences
– the learning tech ecosystem
