LinkedIn Workplace Learning Report 2024

In this week’s edition of TalentTech Weekly, we delve into LinkedIn's Workplace Learning Report 2024.

LinkedIn surveyed thousands of HR professionals with Learning and Development (L&D) responsibilities and analyzed behavioral insights from the platform to gain deeper insights into what’s ahead for L&D. We’ll look at the report's first section: The state of L&D.

Let’s dive in!

Top 5 L&D focus areas for 2024

The report starts by explaining that skill building is no longer just a perk companies offer employees, rather it’s a priority for organizational success in the new world of AI. This sentiment goes hand-in-hand with helping employees develop their careers, a priority that jumped from 9th place in last year’s report to 4th place.?

These are the top 2024 L&D priorities:

1. Aligning learning programs to business goals
2. Upskilling employees
3. Creating a culture of learning
4. Helping employees develop their careers?
5. Improving employee retention

Companies with strong learning cultures see higher retention rates, more internal mobility, and a healthier management pipeline than those with smaller commitment levels. Additionally, a company’s business outlook has played a larger role in driving employee satisfaction in the post-pandemic era in 2024 as compared to the intra-pandemic period in 2021.?

Glassdoor found that in the post-pandemic world, the top three drivers of employee satisfaction are culture and values 18%, senior leadership 17%, and career opportunities 16%. When combined, these workplace factors explain the majority of what drives overall employee satisfaction. As the job market has weakened and layoffs have gained attention, workers are becoming increasingly focused on the safety of their jobs and career development within their company.

To cultivate a culture of learning, organizations can begin by conducting a comprehensive skills audit to identify the skill gaps and areas of undiscovered talent that can be developed to meet future demands. This approach shifts the focus from a reactive to a proactive stance on workforce development, ensuring organizations are not just filling current gaps but are also preparing for future needs.

80% of people want to better understand how to use AI in their profession?

The workforce has an appetite for learning and using AI with 4 in 5 people wanting to learn how to apply AI to their profession. Employees with defined career goals are more engaged learners, participating in development opportunities 4 times more than those without goals.?

For employers, providing learning opportunities is pivotal for retention, with a staggering 90% citing it as the top strategy to keep valued talent. Organizations foster an upskilling culture that perpetuates growth for individuals and the business by prioritizing AI skills and promoting clear career pathing. This cycle allows companies to stay innovative while empowering their workforce to evolve their skills continuously.

Global perspectives on AI

As organizations grapple with this transformation, leaders in L&D are uniquely positioned to guide their companies through this era of disruption.?

The report features insights from prominent L&D experts and thought leaders on how AI impacts talent development strategies. These forward-thinkers highlight the pivotal role L&D must play in cultivating agility, creativity, and a growth mindset to thrive in an AI-driven future.

“AI will change the skills needed to do the jobs of the future. It’s up to us to create an environment of curiosity and inspire employees to operate with agility and a growth mindset.” - Ekpedeme "Pamay" M. Bassey Chief Learning and Diversity Officer at 亨氏

“The greatest things in history have come from disruption. I am excited to see how AI will challenge us to be more strategic, more creative and more innovative.” - Naphtali Bryant, M.A. Chief People & Culture Officer at Lucas Museum of Narrative Art

“As a talent leader, your impact can define tomorrow’s success. Will you simply adapt, or will you lead your organization into the future?” - Terri Horton, EdD, MBA, MA, SHRM-CP, PHR Work Futurist & Global Advisor at FuturePath, LLC

Read LinkedIn’s 2024 Workplace Learning Report here: [LINK]

Download AI and the future of work

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Written by: Alexandra Paasch