Talent & Skills
Employees keener than ever to learn new skills
HR and L&D professionals are seeing a surge in employees eager to learn new skills. Becky Wallace examines how this trend is transforming talent development in the workplace Employees have an increasing appetite to learn on the job and develop their skills. No longer relying purely on a university education to secure a career, they’re proactively seeking out employers that offer comprehensive and tailored learning and development opportunities. Skills development has become more of a focus recently due to a…
Cambridge study on enhancing career progression and language skills
In an era where English language skills are essential for global business, Nisreen Ash from Cambridge University Press & Assessment reflects on new research which shows the positive impact of the online English test Linguaskill Developing business English skills in a global job market helps with employability, and the way you learn and prepare can have an impact on confidence and proficiency, according to recent global research. I am part of a team in Cambridge that investigates the impact of…
How to build an Olympic-level workplace with athlete-inspired training
Unlock peak performance with stretch assignments, diverse training methods and data-driven insights for your teams. Discover how with Rico Wyder When they parade along the River Seine for the opening ceremony of the Paris Olympic Games, the athletes taking part will have undergone years of rigorous training, practice, coaching and feedback. Competing at the highest level is the moment they display all that practice. This also happens in the workplace HR and L&D leaders can take a lot of inspiration…
Practical steps businesses can take to develop a positive and productive workplace
From hiring and training to management and perks, tips to improve workplace motivation and engagement, by Iffi Wahla There is wider recognition in this day and age that a happy workplace is a productive workplace. And yet, according to recent research by Gallup, a staggering £257bn is lost in the UK economy due to a lack of workplace motivation and engagement. That’s a huge sum, and it underscores the importance of cultivating a positive and productive work environment. A motivated…
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…
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.
