How learning practitioners are responding to the changing world of work

The CIPD has published a new report into workplace learning and development to provide a practical guide for workplace learning practitioners to advance the impact of their work. Laura Overton is the lead analyst and Laura along with Andy Lancaster from CIPD join Learning News to discuss the report's findings.

The 2023 survey report explores how learning practitioners are responding to the changing world of work. Download the report: Learning at Work 2023.

Addressing the skills gap is the top priority

Addressing the skills gap is the number one priority for L&D professionals (29%). However, they are prioritising inputs (for example, increasing self-directed learning) over outputs (for example, speeding up the transfer of learning).

L&D is under pressure

While L&D budget and headcount have rebounded and increased over the past 12 months, 53% of those working in L&D functions agreed their overall team workload has also increased.

Collaborative technologies have seen the biggest rise

Technologies that enable collaboration have seen the biggest rise year-on-year, with usage of webinars, podcasts and social learning all higher than pre-pandemic times.

Proactive problem-solving has increased

There has been an increase in the number of L&D practitioners who are proactive in understanding a performance issue before recommending a solution (57% in 2023 versus 32% in 2021), but that still leaves a significant number potentially working on activities that do not contribute to improving performance.

Two-thirds agree they have a meaningful career

Sixty-five per cent of L&D professionals agree that the profession offers a meaningful career. However, L&D leaders view the profession more favourably than practitioners, particularly in terms of career prospects and the impact of L&D on the organisation. It is up to them to lead by example and create opportunities for their teams.

Report: Learning at Work 2023