The latest L&D news, reports, research and updates, personally compiled by TJ’s Editor, Jo Cook. This week: Shifting mindsets and rising trends are reshaping workplace learning. Generational learning gaps, AI ambitions and four-day week forecasts, this month’s insights uncover what’s driving L&D forward — and what might be holding it back
Mindtools acquires Kineo creating global scale and breadth of comprehensive learning solutions
Mindtools, a global management and leadership skills development provider, owned by Cambridge Information Group (CIG), announces its acquisition of Kineo, a global provider of workplace learning solutions, from City & Guilds. This is a strategic move designed to significantly progress learning innovation, as well as democratise the provision of workplace learning, to a far greater number of customers globally.
Opposite ends of the spectrum: New survey reveals baby boomers and zoomers prove most challenging to engage in learning and development
LearnUpon, a leading Learning Management System (LMS) provider, released new survey findings exploring how more than 100 learning and development (L&D) professionals manage the needs of different generations in the workplace.
The survey, conducted at Learning Technologies in April 2025, revealed that 43.6% of those surveyed find Baby Boomers the most challenging generation to engage with learning programmes, followed by Generation Z (33.7%). By contrast, just 4% named Millennials as the most challenging to engage. These difficulties are likely caused by a lack of understanding, with 42% stating that they did not understand the needs of Baby Boomers in their workplace and 30% stating the same for Generation Z.
Despite AI challenges, CEOs say they are doubling down on investments
CEOs expect the growth rate of artificial intelligence investments to more than double during the next two years, prompting an increase in AI-related hiring and reskilling initiatives, according to a May 6 report from IBM’s Institute for Business Value.
In a survey of 2,000 CEOs worldwide, 61% said they’re actively adopting AI agents and preparing to implement them at scale, yet half said recent rapid investments have led to disconnected technology and expertise.
Employers should be mindful of the mid-life development crisis, report warns
Employers may be overlooking middle-age and mid-career employees in their development efforts, according to a Perceptyx report. Career growth and development are especially important to retention and engagement this year, Perceptyx said, noting that four of the top five drivers of intention to stay measured in its latest benchmark “relate directly to career growth.”
For example, employees who plan to stay with their employers are three times more likely to believe they can achieve their career goals and more than twice as likely to see “a clear path forward” at their companies, the report said.
Four-day week set to take over by 2030
With almost half (48%) of UK companies now offering a four-day working week, new research from hybrid meeting technology leader Owl Labs reveals that UK workplaces are on the brink of a major shakeup in working patterns. Employees aren’t just embracing shorter weeks; they expect the four-day model to become standard in the next five years.
The appetite for change doesn’t end there. Across the UK, workers are also calling for fairer hybrid policies and smarter technology to support productivity, wherever work happens. Taken together, the results paint a picture of a workforce pushing for progress and rethinking traditional policies, which match recent successful four-day week trials and reticence towards return-to-office (RTO) mandates.
University launches dedicated research cluster to improve life at work
The Better Working Lives research cluster comprises human resources and employment law experts from the University, as well as industry, including leading HR consultancy, Peninsula. The experts are joining forces to research and evaluate the impact of continued workplace evolution, which has accelerated considerably in recent years.
Through rigorous cutting-edge research and actionable scientific evidence, the cluster will help inform workers and able changemakers to drive equity, inclusivity and business results by elevating the lived experiences of all workers.
Apprenticeships: supervisors’ balance of management skills holds the key to a successful programme
Managers who deploy softer management skills effectively when supervising apprentices find it harder to deliver more practical support techniques, according to the latest research. Research recently conducted by Damar Training reveals gaps between certain competencies apprentices’ workplace supervisors perceive as vital to their apprentice management approach and their ability to deploy them in practice.
Healthcare professionals prioritise mental health support in job hunt and fall behind in tech training, new research shows
The healthcare sector is experiencing acute talent scarcity, with Randstad data showing more than 1.4 million roles currently unfilled ahead of a projected global shortfall of 11 million workers by 2030. Combined with a median tenure of just 1.4 years and minimal year-on-year talent growth of 1.3%, these figures highlight the limited influx of new talent into the sector and the urgent need to adapt to evolving workforce expectations.
For healthcare organisations, this means placing greater emphasis on workplace support systems, fostering a strong sense of community and ensuring talent skilled to succeed in digital-first future of work — all critical to attracting and retaining talent in a highly competitive market. The research is based on insights from over 26,000 workers in 35 countries.
Creative CVs surge as UK jobseekers embrace bold new trends
Jobseekers across the UK are revolutionising traditional job applications, driven by a remarkable surge in interest for creative CVs. New research from RateMyPlacement, the UK’s leading platform for student-written job reviews, reveals that Google searches for “creative CV templates” have skyrocketed by 5000% in just the past 30 days. This unprecedented spike signals a bold shift in how early-career professionals are navigating a fiercely competitive job market.
