Here are several recent statistics and trends in the field of Learning & Development (L&D) might come as a surprise to professionals in this field:
- Evolving Skill Sets: Since 2015, skill sets for jobs have changed by approximately 25%, with expectations that this figure will double by 2027.
- Employee Skills Gap: Over 22 million UK workers feel unprepared with the necessary skills for future opportunities.
- Workplace Disengagement: 60% of people are emotionally detached at work, with 19% feeling miserable. Financial stress has led 21% of employees to lose motivation, and 16% to feel tired and distant.
- Career Development as a Retention Tool: 94% of workers would stay in a role if they felt invested in, and 60% value the ability to use their best skills over other benefits.
- Lack of Formal Training: 30% of UK workers haven’t received formal workplace training in the last five years.
- Time as a Barrier for Learning: Two-thirds of employees cite time as an obstacle to learning.
- Shift Towards Online Learning: 93% of HR leaders increasing their L&D budget plan to spend more on technology for learning and training. There’s an expected decrease in spending on instructor-led training, with a rise in online learning investments.
- Managerial Reluctance Impeding L&D: 84% of employees are concerned that managers’ reluctance to adopt new learning and working methods is hindering L&D progress.
- Custom Learning Content Development: 75% of L&D professionals agree on the growing need for custom learning content.
- Technologist Upskilling Trends: A significant number of technologists find learning new skills important, especially in times of economic uncertainty. However, only 39% report proactive managerial support in skill cultivation, and 20% fear negative consequences if productivity drops while learning.
- Tech Managers’ Confidence in Employee Skills: Most tech managers are confident in their teams’ skills and the effectiveness of their upskilling programs, yet there’s a concern that not all learning aligns with organizational strategy.
- Top Upskilling Priorities in Tech: Key areas for upskilling in 2023 include software modernization, AI/ML, cybersecurity, cloud maturity, data science, Agile methodologies, and tech fluency.
- Learning and Development Trends for 2023:
- Career Path Learning: Emphasizing skills development for both current roles and future career aspirations.
- Impact & Purpose Over Usage: Focusing on learning outcomes and impacts, rather than just course completion or system usage.
- Personalized Learning: Creating more personalized learning experiences.
- Resources, Not Just Courses: Offering a variety of learning resources beyond just courses.
- Mobile Learning: Adapting to the increasing preference for mobile learning, especially among younger demographics.
- Hybrid Learning: Implementing learning models that blend online and in-person participation.
- Assessment-First Learning: Introducing assessment-focused learning approaches for better understanding and retention.
- Rise of Infographics: Using more visual tools like infographics for effective information consumption.
- Focus on Neurodiversity, Resiliency, Mental Health, and DEI: Addressing diverse needs and challenges, such as neurodiversity, resilience, mental health, and Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI).
These insights highlight the dynamic nature of L&D, underscoring the importance of adapting to technological advancements, evolving workforce needs, and diverse learning styles and preferences.
