Independent Professionals
Trust training: why screening is now part of the people development conversation
Mathew Armstrong explores how AI-generated deepfakes are slipping into hiring and onboarding, challenging trust for everyone right from the very start. Screening is no longer just compliance; it’s about creating inclusive, intelligent processes that protect culture, improve learning, and strengthen performance — ensuring every new hire relationship begins with genuine confidence. A team leader spotted something strange. A new hire had passed the interviews and was preparing to start onboarding. They had already made it through the standard screening process,…
New data shows how AI is reshaping L&D
Tommy Richardson explores new data highlighting AI’s growing role and enormous potential in personalising L&D. The shift couldn’t come at a better time. With engagement lagging and employees seeking more relevant development, AI-driven training offers tailored, adaptive experiences that boost satisfaction, support growth and help organisations future-proof their learning strategies. Innovation in workplace learning and development has taken a leap forward with the integration of AI. Employees who once saw training as another job-related requirement to check off are now…
Sales success starts with learning that never ends
Sales never stands still, and neither should learning. Lisa Ojomoh explores why continuous development is essential for thriving in today’s dynamic sales landscape, and how businesses can embed L&D into everyday practice to build confident, capable teams who grow with their goals and stay longer in the roles they love. In sales, no two days are the same. Client needs shift, markets evolve, and economic volatility force constant adaptation. For sales professionals and their leaders, staying still is not an…
TJ interviews: Des Anderson, on reinventing the LMS, starting up, scaling and staying human
Launching a people-first LMS from a kitchen table in 2012 was just the beginning. In this interview, LearnUpon Co-Founder and CTO Des Anderson reflects on: building for scale and support, leading with flexibility, and how AI can support learning without losing the human element or the need for critical thinking. Training Journal: You started LearnUpon, with your co-founder Brendan Noud, from the kitchen table in 2012. What got you excited to start a Learning Management System and keep going through…
Legacy learning is killing your AI potential
AI is shaking things up, and Learning and Development can’t afford to fall behind. Cassie Gasson shares why it’s time to drop the old playbook, grab smarter tools and take the lead. If you want to stay relevant, it’s all about rethinking how you train, upskill and inspire your workforce AI isn’t just a buzzword any more – it’s here, it’s evolving at lightning speed, and it’s fundamentally reshaping how we live and work. The UK government recognises this enormous…
The future of work is pressure-smart, not pressure-free
Pressure at work is not the enemy, but burnout is. Kimberley Rowbottom explores why businesses need to rethink outdated stress strategies and build smarter pressure management through learning. It’s time to equip people with the tools to thrive, not just survive, in today’s high-pressure world of hybrid work and uncertainty Navigating the post-pandemic workplace, it’s become clear that the line between healthy pressure and harmful stress has become even more all-encompassing. Employees face pressure from multiple sources – from hybrid…
Why the frontline workforce needs better training – and why they’re not getting it
Frontline workers are eager to learn, but too often the training just isn’t there. Erika Sandoval explains why companies should invest in smarter, more flexible learning that fits easily into busy lives. From AI-driven tools to on-demand sessions, it’s time employers stepped up because without proper training, everyone loses out Companies that fail to invest in their workforce risk more than just high turnover. In the UK, 72% of organisations report that they are struggling to fill critical skills gaps,…
From knowledge hoarding to knowledge sharing: Social learning is the shift L&D can’t ignore
Social learning is more than a buzzword. It’s the missing piece for today’s Learning and Development teams. Nathan Kracklauer dives into why learning from, about and alongside others creates better outcomes. If you want real engagement and deeper impact, it’s time to put people back at the heart of learning “I’d never heard the term ‘social learning’ before,” said Sue, a Learning and Development professional at a recent roundtable. “But that sounds like exactly what I’m looking for – tell…
Deskilled by design: How L&D plays a key role in driving effective adoption of AI in aviation
A recent McKinsey report has cast a spotlight on the aviation industry’s future. As AI and automation accelerate across the sector, Charlie Kneen issues a stark warning: unless these technologies are intentionally embedded into learning and development and core business processes, the industry risks entering a dangerous era of deskilling AI will no doubt boost productivity, but it also threatens to erode something far more valuable: the human edge, judgment, communication and critical thinking – the very capabilities that frontline aviation staff…
The crucial link between appreciation and emotional intelligence
Recognition isn’t just about boosting morale, it’s a powerful driver of emotional intelligence. Stuart Cheesman dives into why showing appreciation helps employees feel connected, empathetic and more self-aware. Discover how this simple act can foster high-performing teams and improve workplace culture across the board. Yes, it really is that important! Leaders’ understanding of emotional intelligence (EQ) has altered in recent times. Once thought to be an inherent characteristic that you either do or don’t have, emotional intelligence is now understood…
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