Personalised Learning and Employee Development

Embracing Change with Personalised Career Development Opportunities

I've spent more than 18 years in HR tech, and right now is an incredibly exciting time. Technology has advanced rapidly in recent years. Let’s look at this timeline of talent evolution.

To keep up, we need to embrace change and create a learning culture that adapts quickly. At Cornerstone, we've been innovating for 25 years to help people learn and grow at work. Now, we’re ready to do it again in this new era of agility. The world has changed, and so have we.

Despite all the challenges in the world of work, one thing is clear: companies must adapt to "new work." This means:

• Digital Work: Automate transactional tasks to create agile environments with fast-changing roles.
• Flexible Work: Offer flexibility in time and location, and adopt new management styles.
• Diverse Work: Ensure access to education, mobility, and job opportunities.
• Purposeful Work: Employees want to find purpose in their work.

What Do Employees Want?

Josh Bersin's HR predictions for 2024 highlight three critical aspects employees want:

Employees' expectations have evolved, and so must our approach to HR. The statistics show that 83% of employees want clear career advancement, 80% desire personal empowerment through regular communication and truthful information, and 71% seek societal impact, reflecting their values and providing a greater purpose. These insights underline the importance of aligning HR strategies with what employees value most.

The Role of AI in Skills Management

In recent years, much has changed. With the rise of AI, skills management has become central, enabling HR organisations to strategically impact the entire organisation. Traditional skills and competency management required immense effort to manually build competency models, map them to jobs and trainings, and maintain them. This was neither scalable nor inclusive, often limited to top strategic positions and leadership roles.

AI-based skills management reduces this effort. Skills can now be detected and mapped automatically based on employee profiles, making the process scalable and easier to maintain. This evolution brings numerous benefits for employees. Instead of searching for development opportunities, modern solutions offer relevant learning suggestions based on current skills, skill gaps, and aspirational roles. They consider your data, preferences, and behaviours, making the entire experience more personalised and engaging.

Clarity Through Skills Profiles

Employees want to understand what is expected from them. A clear skills profile provides this clarity, helping employees know where they stand and identify which skills they need to develop. This, in turn, influences training suggestions, making them more relevant and targeted to individual needs.

A detailed skills profile helps employees and managers align expectations and development goals. It supports a transparent conversation about career progression and personal growth, ensuring that everyone is on the same page regarding capabilities and future potential.

Enter the Talent Marketplace

This leads us to the concept of the Talent Marketplace. In a talent marketplace, employees can understand their career development pathways: potential next positions, suitable mentors, and relevant projects.

It provides transparency, helping employees comprehend the skills crucial for their desired roles. They can build these skills through trainings, projects, or by working with mentors proficient in those skills. This is the future of employee development — an HR software that inspires and answers the question, "What's in it for me?"

The Talent Marketplace not only provides clear career paths but also fosters a culture of continuous learning and development. Employees can see the direct impact of their efforts and understand how they can progress within the company. This level of transparency and personalisation is crucial in today's work environment.

Conclusion

Embracing personalised learning and development is essential in today's rapidly evolving work environment. By leveraging AI, providing clear career paths, and fostering a culture of continuous learning, companies can meet employees' expectations for career advancement, personal empowerment, and societal impact.

Moving forward, HR leaders must focus on implementing technologies that support these goals. AI-driven skills management and talent marketplaces will play a pivotal role in this transformation. They offer scalable solutions that make personal and professional growth more accessible to all employees.

As we continue to innovate and adapt to these changes, it's crucial to maintain open communication with our teams. Regular feedback and transparent discussions about career progression and skill development will help build trust and engagement within the organisation.

Let’s work together to create a more agile and engaging learning environment for our employees. How are you planning to adapt your HR strategies to meet the demands of the modern workforce? Share your thoughts and let’s discuss.

Incorporate these insights into your HR practices and watch as your organisation transforms. Stay tuned for more episodes of HR Loop, where we explore the latest trends and strategies in HR technology.