The latest L&D news, reports, research and updates, personally compiled by TJ’s Editor, Jo Cook
L&D professionals question if AI really is a hot topic for 2025
Don asks “What will be hot in workplace L&D?” for the coming year and people make a selection from 16 options, including AI, reskilling, learning analytics and others.
Don highlights some of the key findings, including:
- AI dominates. Again.
- Data holds on to the top 5
- Value is BACK
- The year’s challenge: strategy, skills and resources
Read more on Training Journal.
2025 talent trends: the talent multiverse
Over 10 years of Talent Trends research, more than 8,000 talent and business leaders around the globe have told us about their pain points, priorities and successes.
- 82% say they’re already using AI to develop strong cognitive skills among their workforce
- 46% say creating a more fluid and flexible workforce is a top priority
- 83% are adopting or have adopted a skills-based model — an increase of 14 points since 2024
Why hybrid working models result in more business growth
In a challenging economic environment, new research has revealed that businesses operating in hybrid working models are significantly more optimistic about growth in the year ahead than those which do not offer employees flexibility about where they work. This follows a space of return-to-office-mandates from major corporates including Amazon and WPP.
A study of more than 500 CEOs and senior business leaders by International Workplace Group (IWG) found that 69% of businesses offering hybrid working had a positive outlook for 2025 compared to 44% of non-hybrid companies.
New study reveals link between workaholism and organisational harm
The hidden ethical costs of workaholism have been highlighted in a recent study led by Aston University and University of Leipzig scholars. Workaholism is an inner pressure to working, that provides a sense of fulfilment but can lead to physical and psychological problems, relationship issues and burnout.
Workaholism is an inner pressure to working, that provides a sense of fulfilment but can lead to physical and psychological problems, relationship issues and burnout. The study, published in the Journal of Organizational Behavior, showed that it can interfere with moral self-regulation and subsequent ethical behaviour, particularly in organisations that prioritise bottom-line results and self-interest.
Half of British employees feel anxiety at work
Half of British employees regularly experience anxiety at work, with many blaming intense workloads, relentless time pressures, and the impossible task of balancing professional and personal lives.
Younger workers are at particular risk, with 64% citing anxiety due to poor management practices. The issue affects organisations at all levels, with one in five HR leaders admitting that they also experience workplace anxiety daily, while half feel it weekly.
New research reveals growing appeal of apprenticeships among next generation of workers
As one of the UK’s largest apprenticeship providers, BAE Systems has tested the latest attitudes towards career paths among young people to coincide with National Apprenticeship Week (10-16 February). The findings are part of a newly launched Apprenticeship Barometer, which surveyed 2,000 young people (16-24 year olds) across the country to identify views on education, training and pathways to career success.
The survey revealed a growing interest in apprenticeships, with more than 70% of respondents willing to relocate to a different part of the UK to seize an apprenticeship opportunity and 6 in 10 preferring it as an alternative to university. The findings highlight a significant shift toward flexibility and apprenticeships being increasingly recognised as a pathway to secure and rewarding careers, with respondents citing job security (28%), high starting salaries (28%) and hands-on training (23%) as the most appealing features.
One in four UK employees plan to quit their job this year
A new report reveals that nearly one in four UK employees plan to quit their job this year, with poor leadership playing a significant role in these decisions. Analysis by employee experience provider Culture Amp shows that good leadership makes a dramatic difference and is a key factor in employee retention.
When employees have a great manager and leader, 94% commit to staying. That figure drops to just 19% when leadership is lacking. In response to these management challenges, professional coaching and mentoring firm The OCM is highlighting the power of its Learning & Skills Mentor Apprenticeship during National Apprenticeship Week (10-16 February).
Two in five people have faced workplace discrimination
New research suggests that many workplaces are a potential hotbed of discriminatory behaviour, with peoples’ age, appearance and gender often being used against them in work settings. A survey of 4,000 UK adults, commissioned by HR software provider Ciphr, found that nearly half (45%) have experienced unfair discrimination while at work or when job hunting.
Of those, nearly two-fifths (38%) say they have been discriminated against at work. And a similar number (39%) believe they’ve been turned down for a job they were qualified to do, due to discrimination of some kind during the recruitment process.
Over a third of Gen X suffering from chronic health issues and ‘self-health’ falls by the wayside
A new in-depth consumer insight programme from Just Group, the retirement specialist and GenXpert, has uncovered worrying trends around the health and wellbeing of Gen X.
- 34% of Gen X say they have a long-term physical or mental health condition with the vast majority saying it impacts their day-to-day activities
- Yet one in five doing no exercise and half not seeking any healthcare help
Surveys for you to contribute to
This week we have two surveys for you to share your insights and get reports when they are released.
- Survey for Managers: Providing Better Support for Gen Z in the Workplace from Development Beyond Learning as part of their Decoding The Workforce project
- How your early talent development program compares to others then the Early Talent Program Benchmarking Data survey from Leadership Development Program Connect is the one for you
