Year 2026

Why early involvement is only part of the story

Close up on businessman holding a wooden block with Building Solid Relations For Lasting Success message

Getting L&D involved early matters, but this discussion shows that access alone is not the full answer. Kim Ellis, Cathy Hoy, Donald H Taylor and Laura Overton reflect on stakeholder relationships, strategic credibility and why influence grows when L&D understands…

Read MoreWhy early involvement is only part of the story

Thinking in Systems – book review

Business concept.Text SYSTEMS THINKING writing on colored tangram on a yellow background.

In her book ‘Thinking in Systems’, Donella Meadows shows why well-meant training often fails when structures, interconnections and purpose stay intact. Drawing on stocks, flows and feedback loops, Houra Amin explores what learning leaders can diagnose before intervening, and how…

Read MoreThinking in Systems – book review

The real secret to business success is your team

Senior business man doing presentation, planning and talking in a meeting, seminar or training workshop in a boardroom. Manager sharing ideas, teaching and coaching new employees during conference

A motivated team doesn’t happen by accident. It takes leaders who practise empathy, build trust, invite different perspectives, and spot when people need support to recharge. In this article, Dalip Jaggi explains how personalising relationships and investing in growth creates…

Read MoreThe real secret to business success is your team

The skills crisis is a funding crisis

People and money bag with coins on scales. Decent wages. Social payments. Workers deserve to be financially compensated for their time and skills. Investments. Hired force. Financial support.

Jeni Burckart argues the skills crisis is not motivation but money: workers expect massive skill shifts by 2030, yet many pay out of pocket or skip training entirely. She explains why ‘figure it out yourself’ fails, and how upfront employer-funded…

Read MoreThe skills crisis is a funding crisis

Career literacy for young employees: Turning potential into progression

Support concept. Stack of books on wooden desk.

Audrey Hametner argues that supporting early career talent means moving beyond one-off training to guided pathways that build career literacy, mentoring and experiential learning. By treating young employees as partners, organisations can boost engagement, widen opportunity, and cut turnover, turning…

Read MoreCareer literacy for young employees: Turning potential into progression

Why skills intelligence is the missing link in workforce planning for the talent crisis

Office, business people and woman with discussion for laptop screen, financial strategy and report. Teamwork, employees and manager in meeting for accounting firm, profit growth and planning by flare

Workforce planning is being rewritten by AI, and old build-or-buy thinking can’t keep up. Ciara Harrington sets out the Four Bs framework, Build, Buy, Borrow and Bot, powered by skills intelligence and skills gap analysis. It helps HR and L&D…

Read MoreWhy skills intelligence is the missing link in workforce planning for the talent crisis

What influence looks like for L&D in 2026

A keyboard with a piece of paper that says Leadership is not position

A new TJ video brings together expert contributor reflections on adaptability, business alignment and intentional boldness in L&D. Drawing on themes from the TJ Influence Report 2026, the discussion explores why learning leaders need to focus less on delivery detail…

Read MoreWhat influence looks like for L&D in 2026