How can you keep up with the changing world of work as a training and development professional?

1 Read widely and regularly

One of the easiest and most accessible ways to keep up with the changing world of work is to read widely and regularly. You can find a wealth of information and insights on various topics related to training and development, such as learning design, instructional methods, digital tools, evaluation strategies, and more. You can also learn from the experiences and perspectives of other professionals in your field, who may share their tips, challenges, and successes on blogs, podcasts, newsletters, or social media. Reading widely and regularly can help you expand your knowledge, spark your creativity, and discover new ideas and opportunities.

2 Join professional networks and communities

Another way to keep up with the changing world of work is to join professional networks and communities, both online and offline. These can provide you with valuable opportunities to connect with other training and development professionals, exchange ideas and feedback, learn from experts and peers, and access resources and events. You can also use these networks and communities to showcase your work, build your reputation, and find potential collaborators or mentors. Some examples of professional networks and communities for training and development are the Association for Talent Development (ATD), the eLearning Guild, the Learning and Performance Institute (LPI), and LinkedIn Learning.

3 Attend webinars, workshops, and conferences

A third way to keep up with the changing world of work is to attend webinars, workshops, and conferences related to training and development. These can offer you the chance to learn about the latest trends, technologies, and best practices in your field, as well as to interact with other participants and speakers. You can also use these events to update your skills, gain new insights, and apply what you learn to your own projects. Some examples of webinars, workshops, and conferences for training and development are the ATD International Conference and Exposition, the Learning Technologies Conference, the DevLearn Conference and Expo, and the Online Learning Conference.

4 Experiment with new tools and methods

A fourth way to keep up with the changing world of work is to experiment with new tools and methods for training and development. You can explore different options for creating, delivering, and evaluating learning solutions, such as e-learning, microlearning, gamification, virtual reality, artificial intelligence, and more. You can also test different approaches for engaging and motivating learners, such as storytelling, scenario-based learning, social learning, and more. Experimenting with new tools and methods can help you enhance your skills, improve your outcomes, and innovate your solutions.

5 Seek feedback and reflection

A fifth way to keep up with the changing world of work is to seek feedback and reflection on your training and development activities. You can ask for feedback from your learners, stakeholders, managers, colleagues, or mentors, and use it to assess your strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats. You can also reflect on your own performance, goals, challenges, and achievements, and use it to identify your areas of improvement, learning needs, and action plans. Seeking feedback and reflection can help you measure your impact, learn from your mistakes, and plan your development.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?