L&D Professionals
Bootcamps and apprenticeship programmes for skills development
Bootcamps and apprenticeship programmes can provide a fast, flexible and inclusive path to high-demand careers. Paula Fryer explores their impact on career growth and industry innovation Bootcamps and apprenticeship programmes have risen in popularity as effective pathways for people seeking to gain specialised skills. In the United States, the number of apprentices has increased by 64% from 2012 to 2021, according to the US Department of Labor. Bootcamps can quickly adapt their curriculum to match evolving industry needs, particularly in…
Why you should assume that your audience doesn’t care
Grounding us and making us think hard about what if we don’t do that presentation – Kris Flegg helps us think about our work Your audience needs to be as interested in what you present as you are. It’s your job to make them. That’s the challenge you’re up against. In most presentations, failure isn’t as dramatic as a ceiling falling down, a room full of heckling and boos or the audience walking out in protest. A presentation’s main failure…
How artificial intelligence is influencing tech-sector layoffs and reskilling
Carly Holm examines AI’s impact on tech jobs and the need for companies to adapt with the right tools or partners In March, employees in the marketing and communications division at IBM were reportedly told in a staff meeting that their numbers were being culled. This news substantiated a recent pattern of layoffs in the technology sector, which have included cuts at Amazon, Apple and Meta. Combined, these reports have amounted to at least 74,000 workers being laid off by 255 tech companies in…
The hidden dangers of start-up culture: Avoiding burnout
Felizitas Lichtenberg looks at how to avoid burnout when working at a start-up As workers begin to return to the office, and businesses start their slow return to pre-pandemic norms, employee burnout has re-emerged as a significant issue in the UK. A nationwide survey from Indeed Flex found that the number of UK workers experiencing stress or burnout in the workplace doubled in 2023, highlighting the growing impact of the problem. Establishing boundaries can involve communicating clearly when you need…
The missing link in L&D: Why action-learning deserves a comeback
Isobelle Keith looks at the learning intervention that time forgot The learning and development profession faces many challenges. Learning transfer from traditional training hovers at a dismal 12% (Collins 2023), and despite the billions spent on leadership development, the results don’t always bear out (Haslam et al 2024). Add to that the pace of technological change and the rapid advancement of AI and it’s clear that workplace learning needs a revolution. “There can be no learning without action, and no…
Learning from life: What I learnt from parenting puppies
Michelle Parry-Slater shares puppy cuteness overload and also looks at the importance of knowing your audience, and guest blogger Julie Drybrough adds her experience about letting go A little over two years ago we welcomed two puppies into our family, Georgie and Elsie. Chaos. Cuddles. Cute. A little under 18 years ago we welcomed six puppies into our lives as I bred my cocker spaniel, PIxie, to donate her litter to Hearing Dogs for Deaf People as they started their…
Learning Metrics – book review
Cathy Hoy on a ‘must-read’ for L&D practitioners committed to making a measurable impact on their organisations Book: Learning Metrics: How to measure the impact of organizational learningAuthor: Ajay Pangarkar, Teresa Kirkwood In corporate learning and development, the ability to measure the impact of training interventions is more crucial than ever. Learning Metrics is a useful and practical resource, offering deep insights into the intricate (and often scary) world of learning metrics and their application for tangible business improvement. “The…
Are you busy being busy?
Philippa Spratt examines the modern phenomenon of ‘busyness’ and offers practical strategies for transforming it into meaningful productivity These days most people seem, or like, to think they’re busy. You hear it all the time but what’s the net result of all this busyness? Being busy doesn’t necessarily equate to being productive or adding value. It’s fine to be busy but it’s outcomes that matter. Be clear about the tasks you are responsible for that will move the dial As…
AI overwhelm? A pep talk and some tools to cushion discomfort
If you’re feeling uncomfortable with artificial intelligence, Lior Locher and Liz Naylor offer practical tools and tips to help you, your team and your boss Artificial intelligence is the fastest growing technology in human history. It is the biggest disrupter since the internet, personal computing, or the printing press. That’s why there is, rightfully, a “noisy” space around it. And you don’t want to miss the boat on the conversation. Look broader and challenge orthodoxies – new transformative tech is…
Neglecting frontline skillsets is no longer an option
Tom White delves into the bedrock of organisational success: the stable core of skills Many industries are experiencing workforce shortages, largely because of widening skills gaps and poor retention rates. The manufacturing industry in the US, for example, could face 2.1 million unfilled jobs by 2030, potentially costing the industry $1trn in 2030 alone. Meanwhile, America’s healthcare industry is losing nurses by the millions, with an annual turnover rate of 19.1%, because of burnout. And when it comes to the…
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