Talent & Skills
Leaders are approaching skill building all wrong
It’s time to change “What’s in it for me?” to “What’s in it for them?” Stuart Cheesman explores an employee-centric approach UK leaders will be fully aware of their organisation’s skills gap, and HR’s struggles at filling the void. And with the World Economic Forum, stating that 50% of all employees will need reskilling by 2025, learning and development (L&D) initiatives have never been more important. An ‘employee first’ approach to skill building bolsters inclusion, a sense of community and organisational growth…
Fostering connection: The antidote to workplace loneliness
A lack of connection at work has impact both for the organisation and the individual. Thom Dennis explores this and shares ways to improve A paradox has emerged in today’s fast-paced, technology-driven work environment: increased connectivity often leads to a sense of disconnection. Social media was supposed to bring us closer together, but it seems we’ve never felt so alone. Collecting ‘friends’ and followers has become a ploy that keeps us engrossed in our technology, yet lost without genuine connection.…
Will the end of non-competes spell the end of training and development?
Changes to restrictive clauses could reshape employee development, leaving L&D concerned about potential budget cuts. Marie Unger delves into the potential impacts of evolving non-compete agreements on workforce investment and growth Non-competes – a type of ‘restrictive clause’ in employees’ contracts to stop them working for a competitor for a specified period after leaving their current organisation – are in the news. In the wake of the United States Federal Trade Commission’s ruling to eliminate non-compete agreements for most roles,…
Bootcamps and apprenticeship programmes for skills development
Bootcamps and apprenticeship programmes can provide a fast, flexible and inclusive path to high-demand careers. Paula Fryer explores their impact on career growth and industry innovation Bootcamps and apprenticeship programmes have risen in popularity as effective pathways for people seeking to gain specialised skills. In the United States, the number of apprentices has increased by 64% from 2012 to 2021, according to the US Department of Labor. Bootcamps can quickly adapt their curriculum to match evolving industry needs, particularly in…
Research insights for understanding employee needs
Pay is not the only reason employees choose to stay in a role, writes Evgeniya Blyznyuk People professionals regularly face challenges related to employee wellbeing, engagement, retention, and satisfaction with working conditions. To build a healthy workplace, it is important to understand the key needs and desires of staff. The results of a recent survey by Gradus Research showed that financial security is not the number one priority for a happy life among office workers, as it is commonly believed.…
Ghosting in recruitment doesn’t have to be a horror story
Luke Shipley on how to keep communication lines firing on all cylinders during the hiring process Ghosting isn’t the first thing that comes to mind when you think about hiring a new employee, or when speaking to a potential employer. But with the shift to remote and digital-first work over the last few years, the way we recruit and employ people has changed – and with that comes new challenges and workplace trends. The best way to solve ghosting is…
How to build a fairer leadership pipeline for everyone
Sarah Danzl discusses how organisations can create more equitable leadership opportunities Organisations have made some progress in building more representative boards and C-suites, with the latest Women in the Workplace report from McKinsey & Co finding that it’s at the highest level since the report began. Yet, we still have a vacuum at the lower rungs of the career ladder, notably in middle management and director roles. For every 100 men promoted from entry-level to manager, 87 women were promoted…
How we got here – career starts in L&D
Anna Svitak and Lior Locher interview each other and share how they developed their careers as learning professionals About Anna Svitak I’m an organisational psychologist and working as a Learning Advisor for Shell as part of its graduate scheme. I’m passionate about creating environments where people are able to thrive and perform. In my free time, I’m a local hub catalyst for the L&D Shakers in Amsterdam bringing people together face-to-face. These are my personal views as a Learning Advisor…
Data deficiency: how inaccurate reporting undermines the UK labour market
Nichola Hay explains why capturing workforce data on a wide range of L&D initiatives is an economic necessity It was recently reported that workforce data provided by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) has “a long way to go” when it comes to providing an accurate depiction of the current state of the UK labour market. With the right data, the Government could identify where the UK’s skills gaps are at present, and where they could appear in future Part…
Unlocking talent in the age of AI
Gerry Griffin debunks AI myths, explores real-world applications, and highlights its potential for data-driven insights to enhance human potential The hysteria around AI can make it hard to tell fact from fiction. Listen to the doomsayers and you could be forgiven for thinking your replacement by a machine is both imminent and inevitable. But, once you get beyond the headlines, mostly generated by tech companies clawing back a dip in share price, the truth is markedly different. AI can provide…
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