Professional Development

Black image with 2023 on the left and 2024 on the right, and a bar showing loading, as if a computer program. In a glitter New Year's Eve style.

Learning from life: What I learnt from writing blogs for TJ

Michelle Parry-Slater

Michelle Parry-Slater reviews a year of writing and, as always, considers what she’s learning by doing Debbie Carter has edited TJ for as long as I can remember. She is a lovely human who has furthered our profession by giving it a voice. A highlight of my career was attending the TJ 50th anniversary celebration in 2015. Last year, I was honoured to be asked to become a regular blogger. TJ has an industry voice which is ‘of the people’…

Picture of learning and development books.

L&D book recommendations you can’t miss

Editor Jo Cook asked the L&D community for book recommendations, and this is the list! On social media I asked which books were recommended to add the L&D professionals wish list (for Christmas 2023) and to add to your reading list any time. This is the full list, in no particular order, from comments on LinkedIn post and X (Twitter) – and make sure you are following so that you can contribute to future conversations! Picture shows a thousand words,…

Yellow background and tiles that spell microlearning

The future of corporate L&D: embracing microlearning

Matteo Penzo

Exploring the use and advantage of microlearning in the modern working environment is Matteo Penzo In today’s fast-paced corporate world, traditional approaches to learning and development are being challenged. The rise of technology and changing employee expectations have paved the way for innovative learning methods, with microlearning emerging as a powerful tool for corporate training. As the landscape continues to evolve, we must take a closer look at the value of microlearning in corporate environments, and examine if it really…

L&D – adapting to the pace of change

Paul Heath

Paul Heath calls upon all learning and development pros to be ready for technological change The pressure on businesses and their employees to adopt technology and transform digitally is ever-increasing. But when the pace of change is so rapid, how do learning and development (L&D) professionals ensure their people can keep up and succeed? L&D people must adopt the latest learning methods. Training is no longer just about making information available but helping individuals become the best versions of themselves.…

Reassuring employees about AI

Luke Smith

Luke Smith offers ideas on how to reassure employees they won’t be replaced by artificial intelligence As AI becomes increasingly capable, even employees in highly skilled industries are becoming concerned about job security. One recent study showed that 24% of Americans believed AI might make their job obsolete. As a business leader, how can you help employees understand that your organisation isn’t planning to lay everyone off and replace them with bots? It can be challenging, especially given the number…

Shot of a UK beach on a sunny day looking out to the sea

Learning from life: what I learnt from swimming in the sea

Michelle Parry-Slater

Michelle Parry-Slater doesn’t like to be cold. So when a friend suggests a dip in the sea she was less than enthusiastic I was born in August, so I blame my summer birth on the fact that I hate the cold. I would be cold if I lived on the sun. I was looking forward to Menopause heating up my stone-cold blood. (It didn’t work, I still hate the cold.) Recently I spent the weekend in Devon with a dear…

Professional apprenticeships – the way to improve social mobility

Nichola Hay

Young people face an uncertain future due to inequality, Nichola Hay suggests that professional apprenticeship offer real opportunities for the next generation to thrive At first glance, the latest annual State of the Nation 2023 report from the Social and Mobility Commission (SMC) could make for bleak reading for the UK’s younger generations. Pointing to stagnating wages and broader geographic inequality across the UK, Alun Francis, chair of the Commission, warned that Britain’s younger generation was at risk of being…

Why inclusion in training is vital

Joanne Lockwood

Joanne Lockwood argues that inclusion and training is a business necessity and that L&D must ensure it meets the needs of all learners The professional landscape is constantly evolving, and businesses are now sourcing talent from all corners of the globe. To thrive in such a diverse environment, it’s vital for organisations to give equal weight to both training and inclusion, yet many are grappling with the challenge of melding these two crucial elements, resulting in missed opportunities and diminished…

5 talent gaps to address when building a digital-ready workforce

Michael Nizich

Michael Nizich identifies the missing factors you need to tackle when preparing your workforce to be digitally ready What is the cost for an organisation to invest heavily in new technology only to have it sit unused due to a lack of understanding of its operation and purpose? There was a time before computers existed when companies were quite successful and very profitable. Even when computers became readily available, some companies took a long time to begin their transition into…

Personalisation: the route to engagement and success

Tommy Richardson

Research shows employees want to improve their skills and expect a tailored approach. Tommy Richardson explains how asking the right questions leads to success Corporate training has evolved over the past four years with the move to remote and hybrid work creating an increased demand for digital learning opportunities. Because of this shift, it’s imperative employers adjust quickly and expand virtual learning and development (L&D) programmes to meet the needs of their business and their employees. The demands of today’s…