Gov Focus (Dods Training)
Generative AI rollout in government: More than a software skills challenge
Former senior civil servants Kate Sturdy and Clare Dobson share lessons from training policymakers as AI moves from pilots to everyday use. They explain why prompting is a discipline, critical thinking prevents hallucinations, and the smartest officials know when to think first and use AI second for better public outcomes. Government use of AI tools is growing. Last year, a government study trialling the use of generative AI with 20,000 civil servants concluded that that the potential time savings were…
The generation we can’t afford to lose
With youth unemployment at its highest since 2014 and junior roles drawing 100+ applicants, employers can’t afford to pass on. Giles Smith argues we’re debating costs while the education-to-work system fails a generation. The answer is redesigning organisations for an AI-shaped future, with creativity and junior talent at the centre. Last week I attended an event where some industry leaders argued against hiring young people. I found that hard to understand, given the talent and potential we have seen through…
The missing step after restructuring: Lessons from a government department reset
Turn restructure into a practical reset, not a quiet drift. A government department team used an anonymous participant survey, output-driven working day and a virtual follow-up to agree priorities, decision routes and co-ordinate working rhythms. The result was measurable gains in clarity, effectiveness and confidence, case study from Yoav Zand. Following a period of organisational restructuring, a team had reached a natural transition point. A new structure had been implemented, roles and responsibilities had been clarified, and the team was…
The apprenticeship metric L&D teams can’t afford to ignore
Qualification Achievement Rates are one of the most practical indicators of whether apprentices reach the finish line, yet many employers overlook them when selecting providers. Harry Hobbs argues that completion is where training becomes productive capability, calling for clearer, comparable data so provider choice strengthens retention, performance and long-term skills. The latest statistics from the UK Department for Education (DfE) highlight significant variation between apprenticeship providers on Qualification Achievement Rates (QAR). With rates varying by as much as 82.1 percentage…
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?
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…
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.
