You might have heard certain outlets refer to ‘the Great Resignation’ or the phrase ‘quiet quitting’ throughout 2021 and 2022. With historic turnover rates, we saw individual contributors reevaluate their obligations and priorities, causing an isolated talent shortage across every industry. Business leaders were forced to take a step back and re-strategize ways to retain and attract employees. Now, organizations are taking a more dynamic approach when it comes to learning and development – asking how they can align employee training with their overall goals and objectives.
So how did this global phenomenon impact learning and development trends across the board? Below are six key trends organizations and learning and development departments utilize to attract and retain top talent.
The Employee Experience
Learning and development have become essential experiences for most businesses. Yes, there is always regulatory training – but professional development is vital to an employee’s organizational lifespan. But if the information isn’t being retained, it doesn’t benefit anyone. Most organizations would agree that they don’t want their professionals feeling like another cog in the machine. Unfortunately, that is the effect ‘made for the masses’ corporate training, and communications can have.
Prioritizing the employee’s individual experience, approaching training as professional development puts their needs first and will ultimately foster the best environment for meaningful learning that is retained and applied.
Developing the right learning management system strategy or hiring a consultant to help build an individual experience is a great place to start. If you are unsure where to start, contact us for a free consultation.
Technology and Mobile Learning
During the pandemic, technology allowed businesses to adopt hybrid and flexible working arrangements. As a result employees no longer have to choose between a two-hour commute and a job. Keeping up with technology is essential for training and development. Outdated slides and graphics need to be updated to ensure content is engaging and accessible. When e-learning platforms are accessible from a laptop, iPad or cellphone, it increases the effectiveness of the program, because employees are more likely to participate if it means not being glued to desk.
Engaging Training Programs
Most people don’t associate mandatory learning with enriching or enjoyable. Still, creating engaging training programs to help employees feel like their individual needs are a priority is possible. It starts with onboarding. Injecting the company culture, values, and story into the onboarding process helps employees see their role within the organization. It creates a team mentality.
Adding subjects about mindfulness, well-being, positive habits, and professional development skills will also help create a positive work atmosphere. Increasing their chances of seeing themselves in an organization long-term.
Micro-Learning
Collectively our attention span is rapidly declining. Mindless scrolling has become the norm – we are exposed to more information than ever, but how much of it is being absorbed? Employees are busier, with more obligations and less time to complete them. Hours of lectures and in-person training are no longer the industry standard when delivering educational content. Condensing learning and development materials into bite-sized pieces that can be digested in short periods can make learning more accessible and employee-friendly.
Upskilling and Reskilling
The term ‘upskilling’ refers to furthering an employee’s existing skillset, allowing them to achieve a higher competency level. Upskilling benefits both the employee and employer almost instantly, especially if they tend to promote from within the organization. Reskilling refers to training employees and teaching them new skills specific to a new role. Having e-learning platforms for upskilling will ensure business goals are met by keeping employees on par with changing technology and trends.
Video Content
Video content is the way of the future; it’s no shock we are seeing more of it – because it works. It has proven to be the most engaging and effective communication when delivering information online. Employees are much more likely to retain information from a video compared to traditional text method delivery. New technologies on the market are making it easier and more accessible for organizations to create one-of-a-kind, industry-relevant video content.
