The CIPD has found that Learning and Development (L&D) professionals need greater organisational buy-in to help them ‘chip away’ at the skills gap and deliver greater impact in their organisations.
Research from their Learning at work 2023 survey highlights that learning professionals feel they are ‘lacking the capacity to do this’ and that ‘organisations need to make this a priority’. The CIPD assert that, to do this this, organisations need more ‘data and insights on the design of learning’.
Whilst the survey shows that resources for L&D have increased in most organisations, only 59% of professionals say they are confident in their ability to respond to the changing skills needs of their organisations – down from 69% in 2021.
Key findings from the survey report indicate that:
- 88% of respondents agreed that the L&D profession offers a meaningful career.
- 63% of L&D professionals surveyed agree that they work collaboratively across the business to deliver business-critical priorities.
- Over half (52%) of our respondents are innovating in their use of learning technologies and two-thirds successfully use the learning technologies available.
- 25% of L&D professionals who embrace experimentation and digital curiosity are more likely to use AI tools, while 13% plan to use them in the future.
In a parallel study (the LinkedIn Workplace Learning Report 2023), the findings showed that aligning learning programs to business goals is the priority focus for L&D In 2023. However, the report found that evidenced-based practice remains stagnant; with the top five measures of L&D success still being based on ‘vanity’ metrics, rather than business performance metrics.
The LinkedIn report – which surveyed 1,579 L&D and HR professionals worldwide – also found that upskilling employees, creating a culture of learning, and improving employee retention are seen as essential priorities for 2023.
With challenges such as global disruption, skills shortages, and economic uncertainty to tackle, most organisations (83%) cited that they are looking for ways to enhance and develop people-centric cultures to build resilience for the future.
Commenting on the CIPD findings, Andy Lancaster, Head of Learning at CIPD, said:
“Learning professionals need to remain focused on the key drivers and skills underpinning organisational performance and productivity. To provide accessible solutions, L&D teams will need to engage in consultative discussions, leverage data and insights and take an innovative approach.”
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