To think that “the internet” was only first available in 1993 is crazy. The rate at which technology has evolved over this time has been nothing short of miraculous. While this does mean we have access to great new tools, it also means you need to actively stay abreast of current trends in learning and development to not be left behind. Consider the people who thought the internet was “just a fad”.
This is critically important in the learning and development industry, where embracing new technologies and trends can mean the difference between success and failure.
This year provides an opportunity for learning and development trends that adapt to our evolving landscape. These trends signify the changing business environment, brought about by emerging technologies and shifting workplace dynamics.
We can expect that training trends will focus on knowledge retention and individual development as organisations value the growth and efficiency of their workforce. Here are the top 10 learning and development trends that you need to know:
1. Immersive Learning Experiences
Immersive learning is a growing trend as education undergoes a transformative shift towards more engaging learning environments. Technologies like Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR) are driving interactive learning, enabling learners to gain hands-on experiences and improve their transfer of knowledge.
In corporate employee training programs, immersive learning can enhance employee skills and help identify skill gaps. Organisations can provide learners with controlled virtual environments that mimic real-world scenarios that employees may encounter, enabling learners to develop their skills without consequences.
2. AI-powered Learning Environments
Artificial Intelligence (AI), specifically generative AI, skyrocketed into multiple use cases in 2023. We can expect the trend to continue as organisations adopt AI-powered learning environments to:
- Personalise training content
- Automate processes
- Assess learners
- Provide instant feedback
Tech consulting company Gartner predicted that by 2024 up to 40% of companies would adopt NLP and generative AI in different aspects of their businesses, including employee on-the-job training programs. Meanwhile, a 2023 survey conducted by PricewaterhouseCoopers International shows that 34% of employees in the Asia Pacific believe that adopting AI in the workplace will enable them to learn new skills needed in the evolving environment.
Next read: Check out our post regarding detecting AI-completed assessments to find out how your training and development efforts may be impacted.
Is Generative AI Like ChatGPT Always A Good Idea?
Explore both sides of the popular platform.3. Microlearning
Microlearning has been around for a couple of decades but has gained traction in recent years as we gain a better understanding of how humans learn. The core idea is to divide large pieces of information into smaller, more digestible chunks, focusing only on important information delivered in short bursts, preventing cognitive overload.
It’s an adaptable, often self-directed learning method, covering topics such as mental health support, soft skills, emotional intelligence, and can even help to develop leadership skills.
Some microlearning benefits include time savings for learners and instructors, increased knowledge retention, and the opportunity for instructors to dive deep into smaller topics. Microlearning is seen as one of the ideal learning styles for working professionals as these short bursts of information fit into their busy schedules.
4. Internal Upskilling
We can expect a trend of internal upskilling and reskilling, where organisations invest in training their existing employees for specific skills rather than hiring externally. Internal upskilling helps organisations close skill gaps in the workplace in more cost-effective means as they take less time and resources to train the workers they already employ. At the same time, internal upskilling is beneficial for employees as it promotes career growth within the organisation and creates a learning culture of continuous improvement.
Post-pandemic, organisations have found a need to upgrade the skills needed in the workplace. A 2023 survey (PricewaterhouseCoopers International) found that 39% of employees believe that their companies need to make organisational changes to thrive in this new environment, while 44% of employees believe that skills required for their roles will undergo significant changes in the next five years. Yet, less than half of those surveyed have a clear idea of how. Internal knowledge sharing will not only address these concerns but also improve the quality of the workforce, allowing organisations to adapt to the changing market.
5. Specialised Training for a Hybrid Work Setup
Post-lockdowns, organisations have adapted to fully remote or hybrid work setups, which provide more flexibility for companies and their employees. As more organisations shift to a hybrid work setting, we can expect companies to start providing employees with specialised training to improve their efficiency and adaptability in this new work environment.
The adoption of powerful cloud-based learning management systems (LMS) have also greatly eased this shift to remote and hybrid models. These tools give workers the opportunity for personal and professional growth right at home or on the go.
6. VR Training
The adoption of Virtual Reality (VR) training in the workplace has been steadily growing in recent years with an expected CAGR of 41.2% by 2031. As one of the latest trends in learning and development, VR training has been adopted in various industries that require specialised training, such as hospitals, airlines, hotels and more.
VR enables organisations to assess employees’ learned skills through interactive experiences that replicate real-world scenarios without the associated risks. Through VR training and assessments, training managers can evaluate learners’ abilities to perform complex tasks as they train in simulated environments.
A great example of this is within the aviation industry. Pilots can simulate a dire situation within a realistic virtual environment and practise their emergency response protocols without placing anyone in danger.
7. Increase in Use of Training Software
Training software equipped with authoring tools increased in usage from 37% to 39% in 2021, according to an industry report by Training Mag. We can expect the trend to increase as the use of learning management systems (LMS), virtual learning environments (VLE) and training customisation tools increases.
The right learning platform enables organisations to customise their training content to reflect the skills and knowledge they aim to develop in their learners. Training managers and instructors can better track learner progress, provide feedback in real-time and facilitate content creation according to the needs of the company. It will also make it much easier to keep track of training opportunities with built-in features like skills matrices.
Cloud Assess is one tool that is continuously updating to the modern challenges of learning and development. Start out by upskilling yourself or your team with our collection of free courses that are designed to keep you ready in an ever-changing work environment.
8. Gamification of Learning
Gamification of training provides a fun and engaging way for individuals to learn. Techniques often used in gaming, such as competitive leaderboards, rewards and interactive play, are expected to increase participation and foster a culture of continuous improvement with boosted learner engagement and motivation. It’s also a great way to accommodate different learning styles in the workplace since not everyone learns the same way.
In a 2021 industry report, the inclusion of games in training modules has increased from 19% in 2020 to 21% the following year. Companies are spending more for gamified learning as it results in a better overall understanding of the course learning materials.
9. Training Leaders
Organisations are actively training the next generation of workplace leaders. With organisational shifts on the horizon, there is a growing trend of companies investing in leadership development. To support this, many are establishing training agreements that outline the expectations, goals, and commitments required for leadership programs.
Recognising the importance of effective leadership in sustaining and growing their businesses, organisations have made leadership training a top priority.
10. Continuous Learning & Assessment
Continuous learning is another trend that is set to develop further. The importance of upskilling, constant advancements and innovations, fast-paced industries and market shifts have all contributed to the need for continuous learning – and organisations are becoming aware of it.
Continuous learning paves the way for organisational agility as it enables employees to respond to changing situations in the market. Continuous learning fosters a positive learning culture, pushing employees to stay updated with the latest skills and advancements in their line of work. This helps them, and the organisation, to stay competitive in a rapidly changing environment.
The importance of continuous assessment is pivotal in the realm of continuous learning. It provides real-time feedback and a structured way to measure progress, ensuring that the learning process is effective and that employees are meeting the evolving demands of their roles. By integrating continuous assessment, organisations can better align their training programs with the fast-paced advancements and shifts in the market.
11. Flow-of-Work Learning
Given the increasing adoption of microlearning, this has also given rise to more optimised learning in the flow of work. Employees can effectively learn new skills in 5-minute chunks that don’t cause any significant disruption to their workday.
This form of self-directed learning can help to boost soft skills, raise awareness of mental health in the workplace, and even build critical core skills for frontline employees. Expect this trend to continue, as our learning experience becomes more intuitive and efficient.
12. Personalised Learning & Training Programs
Personalised learning has always been a powerful means of employee growth. As individuals learn best in different ways, tailoring a program to each individual is powerful. However, this has always been a time-consuming exercise and isn’t always feasible in larger teams.
Thanks to the growing adoption of AI, personalised learning is set to grow in the coming years, too. The best artificial intelligence learning platform can offer personalisation in seconds, lowering the effort involved.
While these systems are still flawed and can make mistakes, they increase in power regularly and ‘learn’ from their mistakes. The coming years could see a rise in personalised learning that continues well into the future.
Check Out Other Industry Trends That Matter to You
These are the current trends in training and development, and they point towards an exciting future. However, these aren’t the only professional development trends. Here are some other Cloud Assess Blog articles that will help you stay up-to-date with the latest trends.
