Trends Shaping Workplace Learning

📘 Reflections on the Evolution of #LearningAndDevelopment 📘 In diving deep into the latest insights on L&D, I'm struck by the profound changes the industry has experienced over the past 15 years. Here's what stands out: 1️⃣ Learning Delivery: From searching for face-to-face workshops and enduring lecture-heavy sessions, we've leaped to embracing virtual training, micro-learning, videos, podcasts, and immersive experiences. What a transformation! 2️⃣ Empowered Learners: Today, it's the employees who are in control. They demand rich L&D experiences and see a thriving L&D department as a marker of a great place to work. 3️⃣ Democratizing Learning: Gone are the days when exclusive L&D programs were reserved for rising leaders. Today, learning is for all, from frontline staff to senior leaders. 4️⃣ Diverse Learning Styles: Thanks to neuroscience and pedagogical advancements, training is no longer one-size-fits-all. We're innovating to match diverse learning preferences and to create engaging, high-impact experiences. 5️⃣ Emphasis on Learning Transfer: Cohorts, communities, and workflow learning are ensuring that learning isn't an isolated event but a continuous journey. The shift from dusty training manuals to real-time, on-the-job learning solutions, like AI and digital coaching, is remarkable. So… •How can we further tailor learning experiences to individual needs while ensuring alignment with organizational goals? •As workflow learning grows, what strategies can be employed to ensure its effectiveness without overwhelming the employee? •In an era where employees drive their L&D journey, how do we strike a balance between self-directed learning and organizational alignment? The only constant is change. To thrive in tomorrow's workplace, our L&D strategies must evolve today! #LDJourney #FutureOfWork #EvolutionOfLearning

LinkedIn Talent Solutions recently launched its 2024 Workplace Learning Report, and it clearly highlighted how much AI is on the minds of professionals around the world. While that may come as no surprise, digging deeper and considering other sources like LinkedIn's Most In-Demand Skills revealed that while everyone is generally aware of AI's significance and wants to learn more, many still need help understanding how all the pieces fit together. It's clear employees desire development to advance their careers and are gradually accepting the reality that technology and AI skills will play an integral role in their future, even in non-technical roles. Interestingly, organizations continue to heavily prioritize human skills. While there's value in this human skill focus amidst the age of AI, we can't ignore the subtle queues that human skills will need to be applied in entirely new and different contexts. As we move into 2024 and beyond, it will be critically important to help employees develop new and different applications of these human skills in order to succeed amidst a hybrid future of digital and human co-workers and new, digital ways of working. This requires L&D professionals to completely reimagine their human skill development experiences, not simply work to push more people through their current portfolio. Furthermore, while it is important to continue focusing on the development of human skills, we can't ignore the need to keep employees current on the technical ins and outs of how work gets done. Even as AI provides greater assistance, employees will continue being responsible for managing and providing oversight to the tactical work, whether performed by humans or machines. If we fail here, we run the risk of employees lacking the wisdom, context, and understanding required to innovate, make critical decisions about, and mitigate risks related to the new ways of work getting done. Finally, L&D professionals must remember they are not immune to these challenges. As the needs of employees continue to expand, L&D professionals must recognize they have to do more than keep pace. Standard maintenance isn't enough and will ultimately result in falling behind. If anything, L&D needs to upskill and position itself ahead of the curve. Not only will this ensure learning leverages the latest technological innovations but also models the skills and behaviors they know are required of others. All that said, don’t just take my word for it. Check out the full Workplace Learning Report and Most In-Demand Skills data in the comments. What are your reactions? #WorkplaceLearningReport #TalentDevelopment #HumanResourcesManagement #AD

🔍 The Future of Work: Are We Ready for the Skills Evolution? Two decades in workforce development have given me a front-row seat to how job markets evolve. But I’ve never seen transformation happen at the speed we’re witnessing today. The World Economic Forum’s Future of Jobs Report highlights a crucial reality: while AI and automation will displace 85 million jobs by 2025, they will also create 97 million new roles—roles that demand a different set of skills. At PMI, where I lead certification strategy, we see this shift unfolding in real time. Companies are no longer just hiring for technical expertise—they need adaptive problem solvers, strategic thinkers, and professionals who can collaborate in global, cross-functional teams. Our challenge? Ensuring that our certifications and learning products prepare professionals for this evolving landscape. 📊 Key Takeaways from the WEF Jobs Report 1️⃣ Skills disruption is accelerating – The half-life of skills is shrinking. By 2027, 44% of workers' core skills will change, requiring reskilling or upskilling. 2️⃣ AI & digital fluency are non-negotiable – Big data, AI, and cybersecurity will dominate job creation, yet businesses report shortages in these areas. 3️⃣ Soft skills are more valuable than ever – Critical thinking, resilience, and leadership are among the top in-demand skills alongside tech expertise. 4️⃣ Certifications & micro-credentials are rising in importance – Employers increasingly value targeted, skill-based learning over traditional degrees. 🚀 What Does This Mean for You? At PMI, we are tackling these trends by modernizing certifications and integrating AI-powered learning pathways to help professionals stay ahead. For example, we’ve seen a surge in demand for certifications that combine technical skills with leadership competencies—because businesses need hybrid talent capable of navigating change. As AI and automation redefine industries, the big question isn't IF your job will evolve—but HOW you'll prepare for it. 💡 What skills do you believe will be most valuable in the next five years? Let’s discuss. 👉 Read the full WEF Future of Jobs Report here: https://lnkd.in/eSSSYJBM

2024 was a year that reinforced what matters most in talent development: the human element. While everyone chased AI and skills taxonomies, the real breakthroughs came from understanding how people actually grow and perform. At Starbucks, we proved this at scale -- supporting 450,000+ partners globally while maintaining our focus on individual growth and connection. We see technology as serving the human experience, not the other way around. Key realizations that shaped our approach: -- L&D's obsession with "quick hits" and "micro-learning" misses how people actually learn and grow -- Skills taxonomies matter less than creating environments where people can apply what they learn -- AI should enhance human connection, not replace it -- The best learning happens through reflection, not doing In my Coauthor review, it found three posts that resonated: "Training Content Length Misconception" Let's stop being lazy about what impacts the human brain when it comes to training. https://lnkd.in/gcFUxm2J "Learning in the Flow of Work Reality Check" The reality is people don't learn by doing. Their brain learns from reflecting on the doing. https://lnkd.in/geh2VRM7 "Beyond Skills-First Workforce Development" Employees aren't asking just for discrete skilling. They're asking for a career journey that meets their aspirations. https://lnkd.in/gtwtbbJD My reflection for 2024 and what I'm thinking about for 2025: -- As a practice, I encourage L&D to continue proving that effective learning isn't about chasing technology trends - it's about creating environments where people grow, reflect, and connect -- technology should serve learning, not define it. -- The workplace needs less emphasis on discrete skills and more focus on holistic development. -- The future of learning isn't in algorithms or taxonomies. It's in understanding how humans actually learn and grow. Oh, and just for grins, I prompted Claude.ai to write a sonnet to close out 2024 and welcome 2025: Through ‘24, I rode waves high and low, In meetings virtual and halls aglow, Some projects soared while others taught me well, Each challenge faced made stories I could tell. The pace of change left hardly time to blink— AI and shifts that made us pause to think. Yet ‘25 shines bright upon the way, With promise fresh like dawn on winter's day— New skills to learn, connections yet to make, And dreams unleashed for all of us to take.

The Microsoft and LinkedIn 2024 Work Trend Index Annual Report is out, and unsurprisingly, AI is rapidly transforming the global workforce. Based on a survey of 31,000 people across 31 countries, here are the highlights, and what it means for education. Key Highlights: - AI usage has more than doubled in the last 6 months, with 75% of global knowledge workers reporting using GenAI tools. - 79% of leaders agree their company needs to adopt AI to stay competitive, but 60% worry their organization lacks a plan and vision to implement it. - 78% of AI users are bringing their own AI tools to work (BYOAI), cutting across all generations. - Leaders say they would not hire someone without AI skills (66%) and would prefer a less experienced candidate with AI skills over a more experienced one without them (71%). - AI power users are experimenting frequently with AI, getting support and encouragement from leadership, and receiving tailored AI training. They are seeing significant benefits in productivity, creativity, and job satisfaction. What does it mean for education? - Experience with AI is becoming a key hiring criteria, in part due to research that shows that GenAI use can significantly decrease skill gaps. - 77% of leaders say early-in-career talent will be given greater responsibilities due to AI. This has major implications for how schools and universities prepare students for the job market. - Only 39% of people who use AI at work have received AI training from their company, and only 25% of companies plan to offer training on generative AI this year. This gap between need for training and availability is similarly playing out in schools and systems right now. - As AI reshapes work, the skills required for jobs are projected to change significantly. Educational institutions will need to adapt curricula to focus on the uniquely human skills that will be most valuable in an AI-enabled work world, such as creativity, critical thinking, and relationship building. The rapid rise of AI is transforming the workplace and the job market and the entire education ecosystem has an essential role to play in equipping students and workers with the AI skills and aptitudes that are and will be most in-demand. For the full report, visit: https://lnkd.in/eyfSRzNj AI for Education #aiforeducation #aieducation #durableskills #GenAI #AIliteracy

The Future of Work isn't what you think... According to recent AI ALPI research, we're witnessing a fundamental shift that's bigger than remote work, AI adoption, or digital transformation. Here's what's really happening → 1. Skills Renaissance ↳ 77% of jobs will require hybrid skills by 2030 ↳ Technical expertise alone won't cut it anymore ↳ The most valued skill? Adaptability quotient (AQ) 2. Micro-Careers Are The New Normal ↳ Average worker will have 6-8 distinct careers ↳ 40% of roles today won't exist in 5 years ↳ Career paths are becoming fluid, not linear 3. The Great Power Shift ↳ 65% of employees now prioritize purpose over paycheck ↳ Talent holds more leverage than ever ↳ Companies competing on culture, not just compensation But here's the real game-changer → The emergence of "Portfolio Professionals" – workers who blend: • Deep expertise in one domain • Broad knowledge across multiple fields • Strong technological fluency • Human-centric soft skills Think of it this way: The industrial age needed specialists. The information age needed generalists. The AI age needs synthesists. The winners in this new era won't be those who resist change or those who chase every trend... It will be those who master the art of continuous evolution while staying anchored to their core strengths. 💡 Key Insight: Organizations that thrive will build "learning ecosystems" not just "working environments." This isn't just another workplace trend. It's a fundamental reimagining of how value is created and captured in the modern economy. Are you ready for this shift? 🔥 Want more breakdowns like this? Follow along for insights on: → Getting started with AI in HR teams → Scaling AI adoption across HR functions → Building AI competency in HR departments → Taking HR AI platforms to enterprise market → Developing HR AI products that solve real problems #FutureOfWork #Leadership #Innovation #HR #AIStrategy

The future of work presents a compelling paradox: While there are ~8 million job openings in the U.S., there are also ~6.8 million unemployed workers. Yet, even if every unemployed worker perfectly matched these roles, we’d still have a widening labor gap. This gap isn’t just a number—it’s a call to action. With AI accelerating the evolution of jobs, skills mismatches are becoming even more pronounced—widening the labor gap further. To keep up, we must rethink the relationship between workforce development and education. A thriving middle class is essential for a strong democracy, and ensuring access to quality education and skilling is key to making that happen. At Guild, we're seeing five transformative trends that are early proof points of the shifts coming: + Heightened scrutiny on learning & development (L&D) to drive business transformation + Integrated planning between talent acquisition and L&D to make sure organizations are ready and prepared for the talent they need + Short-form qualifications continuing to go mainstream given the urgency to solve this problem + Rising re-enrollment rates in education and skilling as individuals realize they need to upskill or reskill + Increased understanding from L&D leaders on the need for AI literacy and AI application skills in their organizations While uncertainty remains constant, those who embrace learning as a core strategy—not just a program—will thrive. How are you thinking about talent and workforce development differently this year? https://bit.ly/4aki3Ka 

Our latest State of the Skills Economy report has revealed profound shifts in the global workforce. While I encourage you to read the full report and press release (links in comments), I'd like to share my perspective on these findings and their implications. Since 2019, we've witnessed an unprecedented transformation in the world of work. The digital revolution, accelerated by the pandemic, has not only altered our work methods but fundamentally changed our perception of work itself. It’s clear that for the emerging workforce, the concept of a career is radically different—prioritizing flexibility, purpose, and continuous learning in ways that challenge traditional paradigms. This shift necessitates fundamentally reimagining how companies and regions approach work, education, and skill development. 1. The New Digital Revolution: Digital transformation is driving innovation across all sectors. AI, robotics, and bioinformatics are actively shaping today's jobs and tomorrow's opportunities. However, our data shows that as we rely more on technology, human skills—creativity, adaptability, leadership—remain irreplaceable. Companies must craft strategies that integrate both digital and human capabilities to stay competitive. 2. Work Reimagined: The younger generation's redefinition of work is reshaping the employment landscape. Remote work, internal mobility, and holistic well-being have become core elements in retaining top talent. This paradigm shift demands a reevaluation of traditional roles and the creation of more dynamic, inclusive workplaces. 3. The Green Shift: Sustainability has evolved from a trend to a fundamental shift in business operations. The clean energy transition, ESG strategies, and circular economy principles are creating new opportunities and demanding new competencies. Companies must prioritize reskilling their workforce to drive long-term growth in a sustainability-focused world. 4. Generative AI and The 'Electrification' of Work: The dramatic surge in AI-related job postings underscores an urgent need for extensive reskilling initiatives. While our research shows that AI will augment rather than replace human labor, we must prepare workers to effectively collaborate with these technologies. Implications for Companies and Regions: These trends necessitate a comprehensive reevaluation of talent acquisition, development, and retention strategies. As work evolves, so too must our education systems. Lifelong learning and reskilling must become cornerstones of how we develop talent and maintain workforce agility. It's about reimagining the very foundations of education, workforce development, and the future of work itself. The time for action is now. As leaders, we must spearhead the creation of a future where businesses and regions thrive by strategically investing in the skills that will define tomorrow's success. #SkillsEconomy #DigitalRevolution #Reskilling #Sustainability #FutureOfWork #GenerativeAI