Independent Professionals
Learning that lifts: designing for social mobility in the workplace
Learning that supports social mobility requires more than accessible content, it demands intention, empathy and inclusive design. Anna Ogilby explores how workplace learning can be a catalyst for equity, connection and career progression. When we prioritise flexibility in design, representation and lived experience in every step of the learning journey. For the best learner experience, it goes without saying that learning design must go beyond knowledge transfer into creation of opportunity. In the modern workplace, however, socio economic background remains…
Why project leadership belongs to everyone
Leadership is too often seen as the domain of managers and frameworks, but Rob Anderson believes it starts much earlier, and much wider. Drawing on personal experience, he makes the case for inclusive, human-first project leadership that empowers people at every level to own outcomes, navigate challenges, and drive success. With nearly 70% of UK workplace projects failing to meet expectations, the conversation around leadership has never been more urgent, or more misunderstood. Project failure is often blamed on weak planning…
L&D teams as agility champions in the age of disruption
Tristan Boutros argues that agility is no longer a niche methodology, but a core skillset for everyone. With AI reshaping work at speed, L&D leaders must embed iterative practices, real-time feedback, and shared ownership into learning strategies, ensuring teams can adapt, grow, and succeed in an era of constant disruption. L&D and HR can no longer rely on static training programs or traditional upskilling models. With AI accelerating the pace of change and disrupting how we work and learn, L&D…
The hidden struggle: 1 in 3 Gen Z men think the gender pay gap is a myth
Avery Morgan examines Gen Z’s push for gender equality at work, revealing progress alongside persistent bias, pay gaps, and cultural barriers. Survey insights show young women’s call for reforms, salary transparency, and anti-harassment policies, highlighting the role of leadership in creating truly inclusive, equitable workplaces for all genders and generations. Generation Z is often praised for pushing social justice and gender equality forward. A recent survey of 2000 Gen Z by EduBirdie found that 83% of young women and 59%…
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…
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