ALEXANDRIA, Va. — 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, SHRM Research 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."
Other key findings:
- 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.
"Workplace training impacts another key pillar of people-centric organizations – and that is employee journey," said Dimitris Tsingos, co-founder and president at Epignosis, the company behind TalentLMS. "Reinforcing employee experience is a leading training goal for over 9 in 10 HR managers, our research revealed. Showing that L&D is crucial in shaping employee experience and creating a positive and caring culture."
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.
Learn more about the 2022 Workplace Learning & Development Trends report.
Methodology:
- HR Managers: A sample of 356 U.S.-based HR Managers who oversee or are involved in the L&D initiative at their organization was surveyed from January 29 to February 20, 2022.
- U.S. Employees: A sample of 1,001 U.S.-based workers who received training from their employer in the last 12 months was surveyed from January 29 to February 20, 2022.
About SHRM
SHRM, the Society for Human Resource Management, creates better workplaces where employers and employees thrive together. As the voice of all things work, workers and the workplace, SHRM is the foremost expert, convener and thought leader on issues impacting today's evolving workplaces. More than 95% of Fortune 500 companies rely on SHRM to be their go-to resource for all things work and their business partner in creating next-generation workplaces. With 300,000+ HR and business executive members in 165 countries, SHRM impacts the lives of more than 115 million workers and families globally. Learn more at SHRM.org and on Twitter @SHRM.
About TalentLMS
TalentLMS is the LMS (Learning Management System) built for training success. Designed to get a "yes" from everyone, it's where great teams, and companies, go to grow. With an experience that's fully customizable, easy to manage and a joy to use, teams embrace training while feeling right at home.