In the first Newsflash of 2026, the latest L&D news, reports, research and updates, personally compiled by TJ’s Editor, Jo Cook. This week: VR learning research, Meta’s paid link limits, subtle return-to-office tactics, and what the Coursera–Udemy merger means for buyers and platform strategy in 2026 and beyond work
What will employee learning look like in 2026?
Another year in the artificial intelligence era of the workplace showed a continued focus on skills, credentials to verify those skills and upskilling workers on AI. Yet learning budgets remained flat, employees were overwhelmed with too much work to find time for training, and fears about AI replacing jobs persisted.
Done with Festive Chat by Mid-January
A new national survey by Moneypenny, the world’s customer conversations experts, has revealed the unspoken rules of Britain’s small talk, including when it’s seen as too late to ask about someone’s Christmas. ‘How was your Christmas/New Year?’ The cut-off dates: More than a quarter of Brits (27%) say it’s too late to ask about Christmas by the second week back at work, while 24% said it’s too late by 8 January.
Companies reinvest AI productivity gains into more automation
AI-driven productivity gains are being used to further expand AI capabilities, research and talent development, according to EY’s latest U.S. AI Pulse Survey. The company surveyed 500 U.S.-employed decision-makers across industries. Most respondents said they are seeing productivity gains as a result of AI, with nearly half channelling this into enhancing AI capabilities. Crucially, only 17% said it has led to job loss.
Gen Z rising rapidly into management – but ambition is outpacing capability
Half of Gen Z leaders admit to struggling with decision-making, despite 86% saying they felt ready to lead – mthree’s new report, The Gen Z Leadership Blueprint, reveals.
Gen Z professionals are rising into leadership roles faster than any generation before them, according to new research from talent and training partner, mthree. The findings reveal a growing “confidence–capability gap” as young leaders’ self-assurance outpaces the structured development needed to sustain effective performance.
Re-experiencing vs. self-explaining: Comparing generative learning activities in VR
Reviewing recordings of one’s past performances has long been used as an instructional technique to support reflection and skill development. This article reconceptualizes learning from recordings as a generative learning activity (GLA) that we term re-experiencing. Specifically, we build on the generative sense-making framework to conceptualize re-experiencing, with a focus on implementing re-experiencing in immersive virtual reality (VR).
We found evidence that the combination of corrective feedback and GLAs improved educational outcomes compared to the lesson alone, both for self-explaining and re-experiencing students. Specifically, we observed significant improvements in safety behaviour, the number of dexterity mistakes made, and self-efficacy.
Meta is considering charging business pages to post links
Meta is informing some users that they will soon be restricted in how many link posts they can share each month, unless they pay for its Meta Verified subscription service.
“Starting December 16, certain Facebook profiles without Meta Verified, including yours, will be limited to sharing links in 2 organic posts per month. Subscribe to Meta Verified to share more links on Facebook, plus get a verified badge and additional benefits to help protect your brand.” Which is obviously a major change for anyone using Facebook for business, most notably publishers who share links to their posts.
‘Hybrid creep’: Employers deploying more subtle tactics to encourage RTO
Employers are shifting toward a quieter strategy known as ‘hybrid creep’, in an effort to encourage employees to spend more time in the office without formally raising attendance requirements. Rather than issuing new directives, companies are using incentives, social cues and monitoring to shape behaviour.
New cross-government UK cyber unit announced
Anew Government Cyber Unit has been announced which will coordinate risk management and incident response across departments. The unit is being created as part of the government’s cyber action plan. Backed by more than £210m of funding, the unit will drive the plan forward, setting stronger central direction, backing departments with expert support and demanding measurable progress. The plan aims to rapidly improve cyber defences and digital resilience across government departments and the wider public sector.
Read more on our sister website Civil Service World.
Coursera and Udemy set out integration rationale and buyer value
Last month Coursera and Udemy agreed to merge in an all-stock deal valuing the combined business at around $2.5 billion. Learning News asks what the new business will prioritise for customers, about the integration, about the significant forecast cost savings, and more.
Read the interview on Learning News.
UK’s Leading DEI Event Team Rebrands As: Total Events | Diversity & Inclusion
Total Events | Diversity & Inclusion has launched, joining its public sector events colleagues under one unified banner: Total Events. Formerly known as Dods Events | Diversity & Inclusion, the rebrand strengthens the organisation’s position as a leading provider of DEI events in the UK. Total Events together delivers over 150 events, training courses, leadership development programmes, awards and conferences annually, reaching more than 8,000 delegates across central and local government and the wider public sector.
Read more from our sister company Total Events.
