Gov Focus (Dods Training)
How one council made training measurable, strategic and value-led
Martin Furminger explains how a UK council adapted the Systems Approach to Training to build a structured, flexible learning system aligned to its People and Culture Plan. He shares how analysis, design, development, implementation and evaluation create measurable impact, improve governance confidence and shift culture from ad hoc to planned. The Systems Approach to Training (SAT) was developed in the 1960s and ‘70s for the US Department of Defense. It was later formalised by NATO and has become the gold…
Is your organisation truly data-driven – or just investing in tech?
Drawing on award-winning examples from healthcare, justice, media and policing, Jake O’Gorman argues that data-driven transformation depends on people, not platforms. He writes about why leaders must prioritise data quality, skills and ethical governance and shares stories that start with real problems, build confidence to turn evidence into everyday decisions. Despite billions invested in digital transformation, far too many organisations confuse technology spend with evidence-based leadership. In my roles at Corndel, from leading on Data and AI Strategy to serving…
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…
Turbulent times and resilient responses: How UK policy is shaping employer action
👉 Resilience is the new compliance and policy is driving employer preparedness. With a focus on training, companies need to go from policy to practice as organisational resilience is now a business priority 📑 Jon Czul explores how a learning culture will strengthen this, and why it matters in these turbulent times It’s often said that we live in increasingly turbulent times, and the past few months and years certainly gives credence to that. From Covid and the climate crisis…
Will closing the skills gap make us happier? Â
Skills gaps are making us unhappy at work. Can learning and development initiatives fix them? They’re a good place to start, writes Emma O’Dell The UK is at risk of becoming a ‘burnt-out nation’, with a poll revealing that 20% of workers needed to take time off due to poor mental health caused by high levels of stress at work. For many, most waking hours are spent at work, making job satisfaction a key factor in overall life satisfaction. In addition,…
First-time Chief People Officer? How to build for success in 2025
Focus on enhancing employee experience, navigating legislative changes and upskilling your workforce, advises Emma-Claire Kavanagh As business leaders grapple with new legislation, evolving technology and customer demands, they’ll be relying on their Chief People Officers (COPs) to build a workforce that can adapt to market changes in the year ahead. Stepping into the CPO role demands strong HR expertise, but also a deep understanding of an organisation’s long-term goals and the confidence to advise the board at every turn. This…
Shaping the future: How the UK’s AI action plan transforms learning and development
The UK Government’s announcement to be an AI superpower will impact every L&D professional’s future Today to the UK government announced it’s AI Opportunities Action Plan, which has three key goals: These goals are interconnected and aim to position the UK as a leader in AI development and adoption. The goals explored Laying the foundations to enable AI: This goal focuses on creating the necessary infrastructure and conditions for AI to thrive. It involves: Changing lives by embracing AI: This…
Navigating zero-hours contract regulations: What UK employers and workers need to knowÂ
Legislation introduced in Parliament to upgrade workers’ rights includes a reshaping of zero-hours work regulations. Pete Taylor offers his perspective on the proposed changes As October progresses, the recruitment and HR industries are focused on the detail of the government’s Employment Rights Bill, which is set to impact thousands of businesses and employees across the UK in the coming months. Zero-hours contracts remain a central topic of discussion around the Bill, specifically Labour’s plans to give workers on zero hours…
Switching up the skills sector: Why we need a system for all ages and levelsÂ
A well-designed Growth and Skills Levy is crucial; it must benefit all employees across industries, writes Nichola Hay Kickstarting economic growth is at the heart of the new Labour government’s agenda, with the Prime Minister promising to deliver much-needed stability across all areas of the economy. We are several weeks into Labour’s tenure, and it is highly encouraging to see legislation which will refine UK skills policy and our existing training system being put into place. For example, we have seen the announcement…
Transforming workplace culture: The opportunity of the Worker Protection ActÂ
From compliance to culture: how the new legislation can truly enhance workplace safety and trust, by Paul O’Donnell HR teams are great at compliance. When a new piece of legislation comes in, like the Worker Protection Act (from October 2024), there will be a list of measures in place. Ready for the board, ready for an employment tribunal to check. Belt and braces. HR teams need to review systems and policies and ask themselves whether they are working, do staff…
Want smart, useful L&D insight in your inbox (without the fluff)?
Subscribe to our weekly newsletter for Editor-only commentary, and exclusive insight that isn’t published anywhere else online.
If you want a quick roundup of what matters, fresh ideas you can use, and the best new reads from Training Journal, this is where it lands
It’s free, only takes a minute, and you can unsubscribe any time.
