Company training needs today

So here we go. The first quarter of the year is upon us. I have done multiple big-audience sales rallies, the start of the year kickoffs, the beginning of the year town halls, etc., across numerous industries. In my interaction with HR people, there is no disagreement that training, learning and development today entail a severe look into training trends and requirements as the world enters a post-pandemic economy.

As we move deeper into 2023, companies are still adapting to changes in their work and technological advancements, which drive learning and development trends (L&D). This blog from Talent LMS outlines six of the most significant L&D trends expected to take hold over the next year.1

1. Digital skills focus

In the digital age, investing in employees’ digital literacy is a must. Companies will prioritize training their employees to understand and apply technology to improve processes, and cybersecurity training programs will become essential for building knowledge on cybersecurity best practices.

2. Hybrid workforce training

Many companies offer the option for a hybrid work model, and training a mixed workforce requires a different approach. In companies I am involved with, we still provide one-day work-from-home and flexi-time for the rest of the working days.

Companies need solutions that provide both in-office and remote workers with a quality training experience, focusing on communication and inclusion to help those working from home feel like part of the company. Blended learning, combining self-paced training with online live sessions, will become more popular to cater to various work situations within the organization.

3. Investing in continuous learning

Companies have shifted their focus to optimizing their employee learning strategy to give employees a reason to apply for their job openings and stick around for longer. Offering a lifelong learning journey, from upskilling to reskilling, means offering training that improves the work environment, from technical skills to leadership development to diversity and inclusion training.

Soft-skills training is needed; this goes all across organizations, and the world has been put into a re-set mode brought about by the pandemic. Companies are once more conducting training that articulates and emphasizes their corporate values.

4. Developing leadership to ensure employee retention

Good leadership optimizes the employee experience, fosters teamwork, and creates a safe environment for employees. Leadership may lead to low employee engagement and high turnover rates.

This is why in 2023, more organizations will create training programs to assist leaders in inspiring their team members and thriving in conflict management, delegation, and decision-making. My observation is that with leadership training comes the need for more team-building activities to re-foster camaraderie and teamwork that has deteriorated by two or more years of the lockdown and endless Zoom meets.

The significant difference this time is that “team-building” activities no longer involve off-site “amazing race,” tree-climbing,” “obstacle course,” and the old practices of the pre-pandemic times. It is more of a cognitive approach with indoor activities and exercises that is anchored on leadership principles and corporate values.

5. Delivering on-demand and personalized learning

Jobs are becoming increasingly specialized, and employers can offer personalized learning on-demand to keep employees engaged. On-demand and self-paced training will rise as companies cater to different roles, with mobile and self-paced Learning becoming popular for busy employees. More companies will create customized learning paths allowing employees to learn what they need when they need it.

6. Including well-being training

Maintaining healthy work-life harmony and integration has become essential to company culture, with companies offering courses to improve mental, physical, and financial well-being. Well-being training may include content like fighting burnout, financial wellness, and personal development topics like productivity tips and mindfulness.

The world is changing. The business landscape is changing. Old ways cannot open new doors. HR and L&D become crucial in preparing the workforce for the challenges and opportunities the future offers. “Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever,” says Mahatma Gandhi, and he is right.

(Francis Kong’s podcast “Inspiring Excellence” is now available on Spotify, Apple, Google, or other podcast streaming platforms.)