The latest L&D news, reports, research and updates, personally compiled by TJ’s Editor, Jo Cook. This week: Skills gaps threaten growth as L&D lags behind, while AI rapidly reshapes project management. Confidence in workforce readiness is low—but leadership, tech, and adaptability could be key to thriving in future economies.
Nearly half of US HR leaders consider leaving field due to emotional toll
Lattice, the leading HR platform where people and AI succeed together, has released its annual 2026 State of People Strategy Report, surveying 1,002 HR leaders and managers worldwide. The report reveals in-depth insights into the evolving landscape of human resources and the strategic priorities shaping the future of work globally.
In the US, several factors have caused nearly half (48%) of US HR practitioners to consider leaving the field — compared to just 31% in Europe. However, overall engagement remains stable at 78%, with 79% feeling confident in their job security. The primary drivers for considering departure include the emotional toll of managing employee issues, feeling undervalued, and work-life balance challenges.
People want performance over play: only 14% say quirky office features contribute to workplace satisfaction
As people return to work following the summer break, research from Mitie’s Productivity Reset Report reveals that investing in well-maintained workspaces which support personal performance is critical to boosting employee satisfaction.
Whilst introducing recreational features like games areas and activity rooms can be popular, less than one in seven (14%) employees say these quirky office designs actually contribute meaningfully towards their satisfaction or productivity.
Writing standards have declined with the digital era
Almost half of Brits (44%) believe that their writing standards have declined with technology but that their overall literacy and reading has been positively influenced, says new research. 53% of people said that the digital era has had a positive impact on literacy levels overall according to the research by Readly digital magazine and newspaper app.
40% of people are reading more widely than before, 49% are reading more on global issues and concerns and 44% said they are able to read more in depth about topics that matter to them, forming a more balanced opinion. 40% are reading more quality content and 37% said that reading in the digital era has helped them learn a new skill or hobby.
New research finds Gen Z’s average job stint is 1.1 years – but it’s not job-hopping, it’s growth-hunting
Gen Z talent are entering the job market with ambition, confidence and a desire to grow – but they’re doing so in a world with fewer entry-level opportunities and rising workplace expectations. That’s the story behind Randstad’s latest report, the Gen Z workplace blueprint: future focused, fast moving.
Based on Randstad’s new global survey of 11,250 workers across 15 markets and analysis of over 126 million job postings globally, the report reveals that Gen Z’s average tenure in the first five years of their career is just 1.1 years, significantly shorter than Millennials (1.8), Gen X (2.8), and Baby Boomers (2.9).
Organisations face growth risks as skills gaps widen, Skillsoft research finds
Skillsoft released the results of its 2025 Global Skills Intelligence Survey. The findings reveal that widening skills gaps are now a top barrier to growth and that outdated approaches to talent development are leaving organizations unprepared to meet the demands of a rapidly changing economy.
In a global survey of 1,000 HR and learning and development (L&D) professionals across the U.S., UK, Germany, and Australia, just 10% say they are fully confident that their workforce has the skills needed to achieve business goals over the next 12 to 24 months, with leadership, AI, and technology identified as the most significant shortages. Nearly a third (28%) see skills as the key factor that could make or break their organisation’s growth.
AI use in project management nearly doubles in just two years, APM survey finds
The use of AI within projects has almost doubled in two years. The majority (70%) of project professionals say their organisation currently uses AI, with just 1% of project managers whose organisation doesn’t currently use AI or that there is no plan to introduce it. In addition, 29% of project managers say their company is planning to adopt it.
The findings are highlighted in a new survey by Association for Project Management (APM), and research company Censuswide, which surveyed 1,000 project professionals across a range of industry sectors. Comparative data (a survey carried out by APM in 2023) shows that two years ago, just 36% of project professionals said their organisation was using AI and 47% who said their company was then planning to adopt it. The marked increase in just two years demonstrates the rapid adoption of AI into projects carried out across the UK.
