People Managers
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…
The AI race is on, but is your team reskilling fast enough?
Mila Smart Semeshkin argues that traditional training cycles can’t keep up with today’s pace of change. With AI reshaping work, fast reskilling through microlearning is essential. Mila explores how personalised, in-context learning, supported by culture and data, helps organisations close skill gaps and stay competitive in a rapidly evolving market. Five years ago, nobody was hiring prompt engineers, but today AI is revolutionising job roles faster than most organisations can keep up with. It’s expected that 39% of workers’ core…
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…
Inclusion starts here: Empower your team to make the difference
Robert Ordever explores why top-down diversity, equity and inclusion strategies often fall short. He argues that truly inclusive cultures are built from the ground up, through team behaviours, emotional intelligence and authentic recognition—turning DE&I from a corporate initiative into an experience that helps everyone feel valued, heard and respected. Diversity, equity and inclusion (DE&I) initiatives fail when organisations adopt a purely top-down approach. Often concentrating on attracting a range of diverse employees from varying backgrounds, these organisations throw employees together…
TJ podcast: Learning’s human heartbeat: L&D then and now – episode 329
At TJ’s 60th Anniversary Conference, Andrew Jacobs discusses with Laura Overton and Kirsty Lewis what L&D has gained and lost over six decades. The exploration goes from laserdiscs to AI, classrooms to communities, and why social, human learning still matters more than ever for performance, culture, connection and future readiness. Podcast summary: Created by ChatGPT Recorded live at TJ’s 60th Anniversary Conference, this special episode sees Andrew Jacobs take over the Training Journal podcast to host a reflective debate with…
Planning for tomorrow’s workforce, today
Cory Steinle explores how automation, AI, and shifting market needs are transforming workforce planning. By combining task and skills intelligence with ethical AI, organisations can shift from reactive hiring to proactive strategy, redeploying talent, boosting agility, and making good people decisions that keep pace with the speed of business change. Organisations are navigating a workforce landscape being reshaped by automation, generative AI, and evolving markets. By 2030 up to 30% of current working hours could be automated (McKinsey), and nearly…
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…
Psychological safety is the missing piece in your AI strategy
AI is changing the workplace, but without psychological safety, adoption efforts risk falling flat. Erica Farmer explores why trust, openness and permission to fail are essential for innovation, and shares practical steps for leaders, HR and L&D to create a culture where people can learn, experiment and thrive with AI. Artificial intelligence is reshaping the world of work faster than most organisations can adapt. From productivity tools to advanced data analytics and talent systems, AI now sits quietly in the…
Stop reporting and start persuading: Unlock the potential of your learning data for business impact
Most L&D teams collect data, but few translate it into the business language that decision-makers value. iSpring’s global survey reveals a “translation problem” holding many teams back. Tanya Galton shares insights into three L&D maturity clusters, along with practical steps to boost your influence, impact, and alignment with business priorities. Are you being heard in the boardroom or are you overlooked when L&D budgets are allocated and cut? When you lead or manage L&D in your company, understanding the level…
Editor’s blog: Beyond inspiration, the why of reflection at conferences
Jo Cook shares the thinking behind the TJ 60th Anniversary Conference and why reflection and action planning are central to its design. Drawing on expert insights and her own experiences, Jo explains how making space for thought can transform a good event into one that drives real change and learning. “Reflection is essential for professional competence development in every profession”, stated Alberto A. P. Cattaneo, and from the very first imaginings of a TJ conference I wanted to ensure that…
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