Workplace L&D needed

Workplace learning and development (L&D) is the primary tool for organizations to fill the knowledge gaps in almost every American company. To understand the current state of L&D in America's workplaces, the SHRM Research Institute and TalentLMS surveyed U.S.-based HR managers and employees to learn what employees want and expect in the L&D space today, as well as what organizations are willing and able to provide. According to the new report, 2022 Workplace Learning & Development Trends, L&D serves a dual purpose for organizations: to reskill and upskill current employees to fill business needs, and to recruit and retain talented workers who want to continuously learn. More than 8 in 10 HR managers (83 percent) believe training is beneficial to attract talent, and many employees (48 percent) agree that training opportunities were a factor in choosing their current company.

"Organizations must maintain a steady growth of knowledge and skills among their workforce if they wish to succeed, both from a business standpoint and to attract the right talent," said Jim Link, SHRM-SCP, SHRM chief human resources officer. "And while some leaders were hesitant to invest in talent during the Great Resignation, our research showed that 86 percent of HR managers believe that training is actually beneficial in retaining talent."

Key survey findings include:

• 55 percent of workers said they need more training to perform their job more effectively, and 38 percent want training that is more relevant to their current role.
• 32 percent want training to have a social element, such as peer-to-peer learning and learning groups.
• 32 percent want to be sure what they are learning is current.
• 31 percent want more control over the training programs, including being able to choose methods that match their learning style and development opportunities that make sense for their career progression.
• Instruction using simulations was the most popular choice (64 percent) among nine different methods that included coaching/mentoring (51 percent), video (50 percent), webinars/lectures (38 percent), textbooks and other print materials (34 percent), microlearning (32 percent), audio/podcasts (25 percent), role-playing (19 percent), and blogs and other Internet sources (17 percent).
• When it comes to the soft skills employees want to develop and what employers provide, there are some discrepancies. For example, 61 percent of employers provide time-management training but only 42 percent of respondents said this was an area where they wanted training. Employers and employees are more closely aligned around leadership skills: 54 percent of respondents said they want this training and 53 percent of employers provide it.

The research also found that how you deliver that training is crucial if you want a return on your investment. While 75 percent of employees surveyed said they are satisfied with their training, organizations need to look closely at how they train employees, how often employees receive training, and its relevancy to their immediate jobs. They should also heed workers' desire to develop leadership skills as well as training in life skills and self-management, according to the report.

Source: Society for Human Resource Management. Edited from WCI's HR Answers Now ©2022 CCH Incorporated and its affiliates. All rights reserved.

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