Features
Generation numb: Why today’s workforce feels nothing at all
Today’s workforce is emotionally checked out, overwhelmed by constant change and digital saturation. In this compelling call to action, Josh Cardoz urges organisations to break the cycle of disconnection and cynicism. Through purpose, friction and human connection, we can reignite meaning and reshape work for a generation on the brink. Today’s workforce is going through a profound and fundamental shift. Faced with relentless economic uncertainty, the after-effects of a global pandemic, and perpetual digital overload, this generation of workers is…
How businesses can help to address youth unemployment
With NEET rates at a ten-year high, Nichola Hay MBE explores how UK businesses can rethink early career job roles, from apprenticeships to flexible entry routes. Investing in young talent is not just ethical, it’s a smart business strategy that builds skills, boosts retention and shapes a resilient, future-ready workforce. The proportion of young people not in employment, education or training (NEET) in the UK has reached 13.5%, marking the highest rate in ten years. This highlights urgent risks to…
Learning smarter, not faster: How to optimise time and master skills
Whether you’re designing learning or trying to improve your own, it is easy to feel pressure to learn faster. Amy Brann explores how attention, emotion, spacing and deliberate practice help people learn in a way the brain prefers, offering simple ideas that make learning stick and feel more enjoyable too Life feels fast and full, and the pressure to adapt quickly is high. Whether it’s picking up a new tool, adapting to change, or developing leadership skills, the message is…
Left behind twice: What SEN inequity means for tomorrow’s workforce
Michelle Carson examines how early inequality and missed support for children with special educational needs shape access to learning, opportunity and progression. Drawing on findings from the Sutton Trust and Support SEND Kids, and her own experience, she explores why today’s educational gaps become tomorrow’s workforce barriers, unless we act The findings of the Double Disadvantage report has drawn national attention to a familiar but deeply troubling truth: children with special educational needs (SEN) from socially deprived backgrounds are being left…
Your team is using AI, but are your prompts letting you down?
AI use in L&D is rising fast, but prompt quality often lags behind. Poor inputs lead to weak outputs, wasted time and reduced learner trust. Drawing on the testing methodologies of verification and validation, together with Dakan and Feller’s 4Ds framework, Catherine Dock explains how to strengthen your AI prompts We know from recent L&D research that Learning teams are using AI more widely to support increased volumes of L&D design delivery, and personalisation of learning at scale. This trend…
The annual survey is broken – real-time feedback is the future
Annual engagement surveys are falling short, they are too slow, static and disconnected from real workplace realities. Dan Buckley explores how continuous, real-time feedback tools are transforming how organisations listen to employees, spot problems early and act faster. The result? More trust, better decisions and a truly dynamic employee experience. For years, annual engagement surveys have been the go-to tool for HR teams trying to take the pulse of their workforce. They arrive like clockwork: a comprehensive list of questions…
The rise of learning as a strategic growth driver
Frédéric Hébert unpacks findings from Rise Up’s 2025 State of Learning Report, exploring why L&D is gaining influence but still struggles for strategic investment. To truly lead growth, learning must align with business outcomes and speak in a language the board understands or is at risk of being left behind. Across industries, the perception of workplace learning is shifting. Roles are becoming more fluid, the need for upskilling and reskilling is increasing as technology evolves, and businesses are trying to find value wherever…
Agile learning: A story of relevance, responsibility and real change
Siobhan Orchard-Webb shares a case study on how a bespoke leadership programme became a transformative journey. Blending agile learning with human-centred facilitation, the experience empowered individuals to lead with confidence, curiosity and care, showing how the most powerful learning happens not from instruction, but from listening, adapting, and growing together. On an autumnal morning, in a quiet training room tucked away in an area of a community building, twelve managers gathered around a set of tables arranged in a semi-circle.…
My book ‘AI for People Professionals’ was a human-first experiment
Behind the pages of a book shaped by humans and machines, Erica Farmer shares the creative highs, challenges and lessons from writing ‘AI for People Professionals’. From neurodivergent-friendly workflows to AI-supported thinking, it’s a candid look at what it means to write about the future of work in real time. When I started writing my book AI for People Professionals, I had no idea how much of a creative, emotional and intellectual rollercoaster it would be. This wasn’t just a…
Redundancy isn’t just business, it’s personal
Andy Evans shares the deeply personal story of being made redundant and the emotional and professional aftermath. Drawing on lived experience and learning theory, he explores how leaders can handle redundancy with humanity, and reflects on how moments of loss can spark growth, resilience, and a renewed sense of purpose. It was 8:45 on a September morning when the meeting invite appeared in my inbox. No context, no agenda, just a 3:00pm slot with my CPO and HR. I didn’t…
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