Learning and Skills in Today’s Virtual Workplace

It can’t be said enough: we’re living through unusual and unprecedented times. And a main theme I’m seeing as we tackle each day together -- as a family, community, company, and country -- is we’re all constantly learning and adapting. 

Whether it’s a new way to keep kids engaged in their schoolwork or keeping a daily standup meeting as productive and efficient online as it was in person, each one of us is having to shift and update our skill sets. Continuing to learn and adapt is a crucial piece of navigating this new unconventional normal. 

I’ve been sharing my office (aka my kitchen table) with my three daughters the past couple weeks. We each have our own virtual set up and work side by side on our laptops, tackling the day’s work and each learning new things. 

I’ve always been passionate about education and continuing to learn. Beginning in my college days when I relied on a Lynda Weinman web graphics book to help build my company website, to integrating the incredibly robust lynda.com library into what LinkedIn Learning is today--I’ve always championed the pursuit of ongoing education. I’ve seen just how important the right tools and content are.

The fact is, during this pandemic, we’re hitting an inflection point for online learning. 

We’re seeing students, educators, and companies responding in real-time to the massive change in the education landscape. With schools closing around the country, more and more kids and teachers are relying on online learning to keep the school year on track. To help educators bring their classrooms online, we’ve added a dedicated learning path that features valuable tips and insights. 

We’re seeing it right here on the LinkedIn Learning platform. Professionals want (and need) to learn new skills to adjust to this new way of working. Last week alone, learners watched 1.2 million hours of content in a single week. 

We’ve also seen a 50% week-over-week increase in streaming of LinkedIn Learning content -- across many countries and industries as employees learn how to be more productive at home. It’s not surprising that the top courses for subscribers globally include Working Remotely, Time Management: Working from Home, and Microsoft Teams Essential Training. We’ve also seen courses such Managing Difficult People grow in popularity. This last course could be for work or home given we’re all in close quarters these days. 

I’ve also heard incredible stories about how LinkedIn Learning has played an integral role in people’s careers. For instance, Leslie Dancy, a project manager from Charlotte, North Carolina, made the unlikely leap from chemist to project manager. LinkedIn Learning helped her prepare for and land her current role. Another member, Maria Regina Rubinetti, lives in Italy and during her country’s lockdown, she turned to LinkedIn Learning to optimize her Instagram marketing and further her career. 

We’re also seeing more people learn from each other and sharing is at a record highs. We’re seeing a 55% year-over-year increase in conversations among connections on LinkedIn -- reacting, commenting, resharing and replying to comments -- as people look to reconnect with their network, and share advice and tips as we navigate this working environment together. At the same time, we’re also seeing more people learning together with a 160% increase in professionals joining Learning Groups.

As we see the interest and demand for online learning escalate quickly, we’re jumping in to help where we can. So far, we’ve made nearly 30 LinkedIn Learning courses free from navigating this new working environment , such as tips to stay productive, how to build relationships when you’re not face-to-face, and the importance of self care -- to courses that can help those who may have been laid off or looking for work during this challenging time. We’re also tracking the most in demand job roles and plan to share more on the skills to land these roles.

It’s a challenging time, unlike anything we've experienced before, and it’s forcing us to adapt quickly. The role learning can play is an important one -- I encourage you to check out the free LinkedIn Learning videos, as well as any others that might help you, as you readjust and reframe in this uncertain time. And check in on your coworkers, colleagues, and friends. Conversation and socialization (via voice and video calls) are going to help keep us all connected as we keep moving forward.