The latest L&D news, reports, research and updates, personally compiled by TJ’s Editor, Jo Cook. This week: HR jobs heat up, flexibility drives joy, neurodivergent claims surge, and L&D conference preview from Learning News. Plus, Rustici’s guide helps you train beyond borders. Explore today’s talent and tech trends shaping tomorrow.
Productivity held back by tech advice new research from “Thinc” shows
As mid-sized businesses look to chase productivity gains and scale in the age of AI and automation, many are discovering that their biggest challenge isn’t technology or talent – it’s knowing what to prioritise. A growing “Advice Gap” is leaving leadership teams divided, overstretched, and uncertain about where to invest to enhance productivity.
Research from global business technology and managed service provider Thinc shows that business and IT leaders agree that productivity needs to improve, but division is rife on how to achieve it.
Young workers lead the way in AI learning, survey shows
Young professionals are driving most of the momentum in learning related to artificial intelligence tools, with 66% of AI students falling between the ages of 20 and 30, according to a report from Superprof, a tutoring network.
The most commonly taught topics include machine learning, deep learning and natural language processing. Along with technical know-how, tutors focused on AI said workers also need to stay competitive by building human skills like problem solving, critical thinking and emotional intelligence.
66% of people would leave a job that doesn’t support growth
Professional development isn’t a perk — it’s a dealbreaker. Workers are increasingly recognizing the importance of training for their professional growth and job security, particularly in a rapidly evolving economy. When opportunities to upskill are scarce, so are tenured employees.
- One in three workers say their company’s training is outdated or too generic, and 36% have misrepresented their training experience on job applications.
- 45% have made mistakes due to poor training, and 26% admit to scrolling social media during sessions.
- Only 18% receive dedicated time from employers to focus during training, while 82% multitask, with 34% guessing on quizzes and 31% skipping ahead to finish faster.
43% of women are eyeing the exit at work: La Fosse calls out industry bias
A new initiative to support women in tech has launched, following striking research that revealed nearly half (43%) of women in the workplace are eyeing the exit – not due to lack of ambition, but because they simply can’t see a way up. The ‘Women at Work Blueprint’ report, released by tech and transformation talent specialist, La Fosse, shares insights from over 1,700 women, most of whom work in the tech sector, and paints a sobering picture.
The report reveals a staggering reality: 43% of female career exits are attributed to lack of clear progression. Inflexible work arrangements (42%), lack of support for skill development (32%), and gender bias and discrimination (15%) are also significant contributors.
HR roles now among the most competitive
HR has emerged as the most competitive job sector in the UK, according to new research from Funding Circle, the UK’s leading SME lending platform. With an estimated 129 applicants per vacancy, HR positions are proving harder to secure than any other role—posing a significant challenge for SMEs that need skilled people to drive their growth.
The analysis, based on job search volumes and live vacancies across 14 sectors, reveals that HR, retail, and hospitality roles are the hardest to land, while design, IT, and law face talent shortages.
Flexibility still the big driver for employee happiness
WorkL, a global leader in employee engagement, has released its Exploring Workplace Happiness in 2025 Mid-Year Report, offering a comprehensive snapshot of employee engagement trends across industries and territories at a time of accelerated AI inclusion within the workplace and growing political and economic changes worldwide.
- Flexibility fuels engagement– Remote and hybrid work continue to be closely tied to employee satisfaction, particularly in regions such as South Africa and the USA, where flexibility correlates strongly with higher engagement scores.
- Technology leads the way– The Technology sector tops the global and UK engagement rankings, scoring 80% and 84% respectively, with high confidence in leadership setting it apart from other industries.
ADHD and Autism-related claims rise significantly since 2020
New analysis by law firm Irwin Mitchell reveals a significant increase in employment tribunal decisions involving neurodiverse conditions, with ADHD-related claims seeing an 8.5-fold rise since 2020.
- Autism-related decisions nearly doubled, rising from 27 to 53 cases – a 96.3% increase.
- Dyslexia cases rose by 78.4%, from 37 to 66.
World of Learning Conference and Exhibition 2025 preview
Big shifts are reshaping workplace learning and to help us navigate them we have the World of Learning event, which is just around the corner in Birmingham this October. Andy Lancaster pointed out ‘we’re at a key time in L&D and we need to invest in us.’ Laura Overton talking about change in L&D added ’World of Learning addresses the issues at the heart of our profession.’
Rustici Software’s latest eBook shares the technical considerations for effective partner training programs
Rustici Software, the global expert in eLearning standards and learning technologies, has published a new ebook, “Launching Your Customer Education Program: Technical Considerations for Taking Training to Your Partners.” This comprehensive guide addresses the growing need for organizations to effectively distribute product training to external audiences, including distributors, channel partners, and customers.
The eBook delves into the technical considerations for delivering training outside of an internal Learning Management System (LMS), emphasizing the importance of consistent information, visibility into usage, and efficient content distribution.
