The latest L&D news, reports, research and updates, personally compiled by TJ’s Editor, Jo Cook. This week: From practical fixes for talent and learning gaps to game-changing inclusion, small business culture struggles, leadership conference reveals, and workforce data insights—you’ll find ideas, research, and real talk to reshape your strategy.
L&D Doctor Clinic launches to support HR and learning professionals
Paul Morgan, a seasoned learning leader, has launched the L&D Doctor Clinic, a bi-weekly forum for HR, L&D and talent professionals to seek confidential advice and support.
Launched as a bi-monthly online forum, the clinic is designed to provide a safe space for professionals to ask questions, explore challenges or test ideas with experienced peers. The 60-minute sessions, held every two weeks, are limited to 20 participants to encourage open discussion and meaningful dialogue. Attendance is free of charge.
Fosway Group publishes AI Market Assessment papers for Learning markets
Understanding AI and the impact it will have on your market and business is one of the hottest topics in 2025. For learning leaders, that’s true too, but with a market dominated by AI hype and marketing noise, do you have the insight you need regarding AI today?
AI is now the biggest story in all the HR, talent and learning segments, with rapid growth in corporate interest and virtually every vendor having an AI-led roadmap. The market noise about AI is immense, but the story beneath that is opaque and uncertain; never has there been a greater need to provide an honest detailed market analysis of what is real and what is hype, as well as who is succeeding – and how. Crucially, the research programme ties together both corporate and vendor experiences, offering equal footing and deep insights on both sides, and resulting in a series of unique public and private deliverables from Fosway.
CIPD: Lifelong learning in the reskilling era, from luxury to necessity
The UK labour market is undergoing a profound transformation, shaped by three converging megatrends: technological advancement, the transition to a net-zero economy and demographic change. These forces are redefining the nature of work, the skills in demand, and the distribution of opportunities across sectors and regions. While these shifts pose risks – particularly for lower-skilled and older workers – they also offer the potential for more fulfilling, higher-quality employment if supported by inclusive and forward-looking policies.
This report calls for a coordinated approach to skills development that supports individuals throughout their lives, aligns with industrial strategy, and ensures equitable access to opportunity.
Leaders and HR professionals are tasked with re-engaging exhausted employees while managing their own fatigue
With summer underway—a time when many employees hope to recharge—new data shows that burnout remains a pressing issue. A 2023 survey by McKinsey Health Institute found that nearly 22% of European employees report symptoms of burnout, with younger workers and women most affected. Hogan Assessments, the world’s leader in workplace personality assessment, outlines how to identify early symptoms and implement culture-level changes to prevent them.
As financial pressures rise, workplace stress is reaching a tipping point—pushing many employees toward burnout. While burnout stems from chronic, unmanaged stress, it’s not just a personal issue—it’s a systemic, organizational challenge. In times of crisis, job insecurity and overstretched teams only amplify the emotional toll.
Learning scientists identify 13 human skills gaps that could threaten AI adoption, as companies race to integrate the technology
As companies invest millions into artificial intelligence, reports from sources such as MIT(opens new window) are beginning to suggest that over-reliance on generative AI can reduce critical thinking. This resulting human skills deficit could itself threaten the effective adoption of AI if not properly addressed, according to findings published by learning scientists at upskilling platform Multiverse.
The researchers found that creativity, analytical reasoning and systems thinking are among the 13 human skillsets required for the workforce to successfully adopt AI. These sit alongside technical skills such as prompt engineering, AI model evaluation and AI process modelling, and hold the keys to effectively bringing together people and technology to drive value.
Apprenticeships, internships and job rotations can close skill gaps
As HR professionals face persistent recruiting challenges, programs such as apprenticeships, internships and job rotations are narrowing skill gaps, according to a report from SHRM. In fact, job rotations had a 92% success rate in alleviating talent shortages, the report found.
How hiring individuals with intellectual disabilities mutually benefits hotels and employees
- Hospitality employers and individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities can mutually benefit when hotels employ these workers, according to new research from Penn State University’s School of Hospitality Management
- According to the research, individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities can fill much-needed jobs in hospitality, but hotel employers must offer them adequate support to succeed in their roles
- The benefits of hiring individuals with intellectual disabilities go beyond addressing the labour shortage, the researchers found, citing greater workplace diversity, improved loyalty and reduced turnover
‘Culture at risk’ as small firms struggle to grow without losing their way
Maintaining company culture has emerged as the biggest internal challenge for small businesses scaling up, according to new research, with many owners struggling to protect values and communication as they expand their teams.
The data, published by accounting software provider FreeAgent, shows that almost a third of small business owners (32%) see maintaining company culture as the hardest part of transitioning from a micro business to a small or medium-sized enterprise.
Keynote speakers announced for the Learning Leadership Conference 2025
The Learning Guild has announced keynote speakers for the Learning Leadership Conference 2025, which takes place October 1–3 at the Rosen Centre Hotel in Orlando, FL. This year’s program will feature presentations by Wendy Gates Corbett and Frank Nguyen, two of the most prominent figures in the learning and development field.
Wendy Gates Corbett, CPTD, an Adjunct Professor of Leadership & Management at Duke University will deliver a keynote titled “Connected, Respected, Successful.” Known for her work promoting inclusive workplace cultures, Corbett brings over 20 years of experience in leadership training and professional development. Her session will explore how fostering connection and belonging in the workplace leads to personal and organizational success.
Frank Nguyen, Executive Director at Genentech, will lead a panel discussion titled “Developing a Learning Leadership Bench for the Future.” The session will examine strategies for identifying future leaders, with a focus on key experiences that unlock leadership potential, as well as targeted mentoring and coaching practices. Nguyen will be joined by Marci Paino, VP of Enterprise Learning, and Rob Lauber, CEO XLO Global LLC, sharing their perspectives on supporting professional development within L&D teams.
Optimising workforce management: Insights, challenges & strategies for the future
As demand grows for data-led decision-making across HR and operations, workforce management has become a strategic priority. Based on a survey of more than 100 public and private sector leaders, this new report uncovers how organisations are using data and where they’re falling short across the full workforce lifecycle.
Download a free report to explore:
- Where organisations are struggling with recruitment, retention and career development
- What’s driving disengagement, inefficiencies and turnover
- How technology is – or isn’t – being used to address these issues
- Practical insights and recommendations to help your organisation build a more resilient, digitally enabled workforce strategy
Download from our sister publication PublicTechnology.
