Celebrating 60 years of Training Journal, and equipping L&D to shape what’s next

Everyone in L&D is welcome to our one‑day, high‑energy conference for L&D leaders, managers, trainers, learning designers and vendors across all sectors. Expect sharp ideas, practical tools, and peer connections that help you turn insight into action, celebrate 60 years of TJ and the progression of L&D.

At a glance

• Date: Monday 24^th November
  
  
• Time: 9am for a 9.30am start – through to 5.30pm with networking drinks until 7pm, on-site, Sponsored by Speexx
  
  
• Location: Royal Society of Chemistry, London – Burlington House, Piccadilly, London W1J 0BA
  
  

Why only 60 places?

We’re keeping it intimate and outcomes‑focused:
real conversations, practical takeaways, zero conference fatigue

Value you’ll take away

✂️ Cut through the noise. What actually works in 2025: from AI‑enabled learning to skills strategy that changes performance

🎤 Peer‑tested practice. Learn from leaders who’ve been there — not just shiny decks

🛠 Make it actionable. You’ll leave with reflections, discussion points and action plans you can use the next day

🤜🏽 Network with purpose. Be with people who share your challenges and can offer their experiences

🎉 Celebrate and recharge. Mark 60 years of TJ with good company, good food and fresh ideas. Lunch is included, we’re in the Library and Science rooms of the Royal Society of Chemistry, so we’ll all be in our element!

Timetable

9.00am	Registration Coffee, networking
9.30am	Welcome with TJ Editor Jo Cook ■ Celebrate 60 years of TJ and the L&D ■ Get us thinking, planning and reflecting
10.00am	Keynote: Empowering L&D to harness generative AI for impact with Carolyn Shepherd ■ Unite for impact: Harness the collective strengths of HR, Learning & Development, and IT to break down silos, drive transformative change, and create environments where collaboration is not just encouraged but expected. Emphasise the power of cross-functional action to address real organisational challenges and catalyse meaningful progress ■ Enable with AI: Move beyond treating AI as mere technology, frame it as an enabler of agency at every level. Equip people not just with tools, but with the confidence and critical thinking skills to experiment, interrogate, and influence outcomes. Foster a landscape where practical, scenario-based learning empowers all to navigate uncertainty and actively shape AI’s role in their work ■ Accelerate growth: Fuel productivity, resilience, and continuous innovation by nurturing a culture of collaborative experimentation and reflective action. Encourage teams to explore what ‘AI problems’ really look like in practice, to manage upwards and influence decision-makers, and to turn curiosity into concrete results that benefit both individuals and the organisation as a whole Plus reflection, discussion and action planning
11.15am	Option 1 (decide on the day): Fresh perspectives and courage to act on what matters most with Remi Baker ■ It’s easy to get swept up in demands, routines and expectations, until you realise your energy is going into things that don’t truly matter to you or the people you serve. That’s where courage comes in: the courage to choose differently, to back your values, and to step towards what gives you energy and purpose ■ Explore where fresh perspectives help you cut through the noise, why courage is the bridge between clarity and impact ■ Define the one word and one action that will carry your courage forward	Option 2 (decide on the day): The neurodiversity shift: Transforming L&D to work for every mind with Sascha Evans   ■ The business case for neuro-inclusive L&D: Understand how designing for neurodivergent minds directly impacts strategic objectives your leadership cares about ■ Assess where you stand: Use a practical framework to evaluate your current L&D approach and identify your quick wins and biggest opportunities for inclusive transformation ■ Take action tomorrow: Leave with concrete, implementable steps to shift from firefighting accommodations to designing inclusively from the start
11.50am	L&D driving strategic impact with Cathy Hoy ■ Uncover the biggest challenges preventing L&D from securing a strategic seat at the table and explore practical solutions ■ Collaborate with peers to connect learning initiatives to business goals and drive measurable organisational impact ■ Leave with actionable strategies to position L&D as a critical driver of organisational success and transformation
12.20pm	Lunch
1.30pm	Reflection with AMC Newton and Amelia Wakeford Reflect on the morning: reduce overwhelm, pause, process, and personalise learning
2.15pm	Option 1 (decide on the day): L&D ignite Ignite talks are rapid-fire presentations: each speaker gets five minutes with 20 slides that auto-advance every 15 seconds. The strict timing forces clarity, pace and storytelling, so you get a high-energy mix of ideas without drift. You’ll get a fast, energising burst of ideas from a range of voices, with no waffle. In five minutes per speaker you’ll discover fresh perspectives, spark new connections, and leave with practical takeaways to explore in the breaks.   ■ Kirsty Lewis – How to overcome professional loneliness ■ Jayne Davids – Sparking inclusion: Creating video content everyone can learn from ■ Sukh Pabial – Aligning L&D with Talent Management ■ Kim Ellis – Owning the power shift to freelance ■ Gaelle Watson – In learning, do we trust? 60 years, 60 questions	Option 2 (decide on the day): AI and the new skills of wellbeing: Equipping L&D for a human-centred future with Tom Bryant ■ AI takes on more of the technical and repetitive tasks, the most valuable skills of the future are profoundly human: emotional intelligence, resilience and adaptability ■ Harness AI to support wellbeing, reduce burnout and create space for people to thrive ■ Ensure that technology strengthens, rather than undermines, workplace well-being Maintaining the edge: Creative skills for a changing world with Clare Dobson ■ In today’s world change is constant, accelerated by technological advances, local and global crises, and climate challenges ■ The session will consider why creative skills in the workplace remain critical for success ■ You’ll have a chance to practise these skills in a problem-solving environment
3.15pm	Afternoon coffee
3.30pm	Debate hosted by Andrew Jacobs with speakers Kirsty Lewis and Laura Overton ■ Lots has changed in the last 60 years… or has it? What’s the real work of L&D today? From photocopiers to AI – how has the role changed? What’s one skill we need now that we weren’t taught? What skill used to matter but doesn’t now? What’s missing that will define the next decade? ■ Live podcast recording
4.30pm	Reflection and action-setting Think back on the best parts of your day and discuss with others. Leave feeling energised yet grounded, having had time and space to process what they’ve heard, make personal meaning from it, and identify one or more concrete actions to take forward
5.15pm	Closing remarks, birthday cake, drinks and networking ■ Networking drinks kindly sponsored by Speexx Event finishes at 7pm

Who you’ll collaborate with:

Who should come

• You lead or manage L&D and need sharper strategy and credible measures
  
  
• You design learning end‑to‑end and want evidence‑based methods to take back
  
  
• You’re driving skills, leadership or culture change and need peer proof points
  
  
• You advise senior stakeholders and want better ways to influence and align
  
  
• If you work in L&D, you are welcome!

Accessibility

The venue is wheelchair accessible, with a lift to the event. All seats are at round tables. When you book your ticket please let us know any other accessibility needs and dietary options.

Dress code

Come as you are; bring curiosity.

Filming

On the day there will be a videographer from Raiveon capturing the event. Learning News will also be there, both will be conducting interviews. During the event please let Kevin Davids, Rob Clarke or a member of the team know if you would like to be interviewed about the event and key topics.

Want to sponsor or partner?

We work with a small number of aligned partners to add genuine value, please contact the Editor for more information.

There are some TJ60 resources here.