Talent & Skills
A real-world approach to the employer skills gap
For many organisations trying to reduce their skills gap, recruitment along is not working. The recruitment process is often uncertain and expensive, and yet investment in employee training to redress the skills shortage is falling. Isn’t it time for employers to re-evaluate developing their existing talent? Wojciech Walczak discusses how. At the start of 2024, the ONS reported that there were 934,000 job vacancies in the UK, a figure that still remained above pre-Covid-19 levels. Compounding this need, Open University…
Forget quiet quitting! Revenge quitting is the new workplace wake-up call
Dr Ryne Sherman explores the rise of revenge quitting, where frustrated employees walk away, but with impact, not silence. Driven by unmet needs around purpose, safety, and leadership, today’s workforce is pushing back. Here’s what organisations must do to retain talent, and why quick fixes just won’t cut it anymore. We’ll wish for quiet quitting as we’ve entered a new era of bold exits where frustrated employees aren’t just handing in their notice—they’re making sure it’s heard loud and clear.…
L&D’s moment to reboot management for a hybrid world
Hybrid working isn’t broken; but it is being left to chance. Gary Cookson shows how L&D can fix it: define team norms, build purposeful onsite experiences, enable collaboration and management capabilities, and support individuals with real-time learning tools. Enabling hybrid by design, can only drive improve engagement, productivity and retention. Why are we still talking about hybrid working? Isn’t it all so very 2022? Not so. It is often in the media as various organisations (or, more specifically, the leader…
Build a future-ready leadership pipeline with targeted development
Steve George argues that developing senior leaders takes strategic, tailored support. Drawing on CIPD insights, he outlines how coaching, real-world stretch assignments, and structured feedback build resilience, agility and judgement. He shows why needs-led design, multi-tier pathways and succession planning help L&D create engaged workforces and future-ready leadership pipelines today. Change is a constant in today’s working world and during uncertain times, employees look to senior leaders for direction, clarity and confidence. But leading through complexity takes more than experience…
Why project leadership belongs to everyone
Leadership is too often seen as the domain of managers and frameworks, but Rob Anderson believes it starts much earlier, and much wider. Drawing on personal experience, he makes the case for inclusive, human-first project leadership that empowers people at every level to own outcomes, navigate challenges, and drive success. With nearly 70% of UK workplace projects failing to meet expectations, the conversation around leadership has never been more urgent, or more misunderstood. Project failure is often blamed on weak planning…
New data shows how AI is reshaping L&D
Tommy Richardson explores new data highlighting AI’s growing role and enormous potential in personalising L&D. The shift couldn’t come at a better time. With engagement lagging and employees seeking more relevant development, AI-driven training offers tailored, adaptive experiences that boost satisfaction, support growth and help organisations future-proof their learning strategies. Innovation in workplace learning and development has taken a leap forward with the integration of AI. Employees who once saw training as another job-related requirement to check off are now…
When reviews backfire: How smart managers turn damage into growth
Appraisals gone wrong can leave employees feeling anxious, rejected and disengaged. Drawing on psychological insights, Srideep Sarkar and Anu Sarkar explain how managers can navigate these moments with care. Learn how to rebuild trust, restore confidence and transform even the toughest performance conversations into catalysts for learning, resilience and growth. Performance appraisals are meant to provide clarity, motivation, and a roadmap for growth. But for many employees, they bring frustration, disappointment, and even self-doubt. This is aptly indicated by a…
More than survival mode: L&D’s role in building true resilience
In challenging times, L&D can’t afford to stand still. Chris Chesterman shares three strategic actions to help learning teams prove their value, strengthen skills and support their people. From building organisational resilience to linking learning with business outcomes, now’s the moment to show how vital L&D is to lasting success. When times are tight, we all need to do more with less. No department is immune, but it’s fair to say that some are more susceptible than others. L&D teams…
Why cultural intelligence is reshaping recruitment
As companies become increasingly global, the ability to navigate cultural differences is no longer optional, it’s essential. Mariia Skorokhod explores why recruiters must cultivate cultural intelligence to build trust, communicate effectively, and unlock the full potential of international talent within rapidly evolving recruitment, creating a culture shift along the way. As companies continue to expand globally, increasing numbers of individuals are immigrating in search of better opportunities, and international exchange programs are becoming more common. This growing interconnectedness has given…
The future of L&D: Focusing on potential to grow skills continuously
Rethinking hiring and learning? You’re not alone. Mark Thompson explores why a tick-box approach is out, and how spotting potential and weaving learning into everyday work can future-proof your business. From agile assessments to leadership-led learning, it’s time to invest in people who grow as fast as the world changes For years, hiring decisions have been shaped by rigid qualifications – degrees, CVs and checklists of experience. But as the workplace evolves, so must our collective hiring mindset. What if…
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