What’s New for L&D in 2023?
Wisetail | 4 min read
Another eventful year is ending, and companies are preparing for 2023 success. And learning and development (L&D) continues to be an essential factor in building that success. As the business world strives to stabilize, what’s next for L&D in the coming year?
Overcoming “old” obstacles
L&D has come a long way in the past few years, but the journey was not without its challenges, some of which continue to cause frustration for employers and employees alike. Overcoming these “old” obstacles will require even more time and energy from L&D professionals and their organizations. Technology changes quickly, and learning tech should be easy to implement and operate. Learning ecosystems, integrated tools, and curated content contribute to effective L&D, but legacy tools and expectations limit L&D teams and their employers. Companies need to examine their learning materials and technology, and make moves to update, improve, and optimize.
According to HubSpot, “of the 57% of workers likely to look for a new job in 2022, more than 50% would stay with their current company if they had more opportunities for upskilling.” Encouraging and developing innovative learning ideas is key to engaging employees and meeting their expectations, and meeting employee expectations is even more crucial to success in 2023.
Learning trends are typically related to how employees adapt to new tools and information. With so many changes in the way employees work, an old-school, top-down training approach is no longer conducive to an effective L&D strategy. Employee engagement remains a top priority for 2023, which means moving away from strictly conveying information to include more organic methods for practicing new skills, communicating, and collaborating with colleagues and team leaders.
Reviving company culture
Building, or rebuilding, an engaging culture is another 2023 challenge for companies, and L&D teams are uniquely positioned to help. With remote and hybrid workplace dynamics, and high turnover still making news, it’s difficult for employees to form lasting connections and strong working relationships with their coworkers. Add in the paradigm shift in the way employees prioritize their time and relationships, and overall work culture is weaker than ever.
This is a chance for L&D to have a significant impact on company culture. Your company’s opportunities for growth and development are a driver of positive culture. The presence of continuous improvement and career development programs is a defining factor in recruiting, retention, and employee engagement.
The Great Reengagement
In 2023, the best opportunity for human resources and L&D teams lies in improving employee engagement. On the heels of the Great Resignation, a proactive approach to engagement is an essential element of a successful L&D strategy. To align with company goals, reengagement — or the Great Reengagement — empowers employees by:
- Connecting them to a purpose. Employees value a strong sense of purpose in their work. L&D strategies should provide consistent communication about the company’s mission, values, and goals. It’s easy to get caught up in deadlines and productivity numbers, but it’s critical to remind employees of their part in a broader purpose and the distinct role they play in your company’s success.
- Providing a strong learning culture. Learning and development work can be accomplished in a variety of ways, but with the easy access to centralized learning resources provided by a learning management system (LMS), employees can engage with L&D opportunities in alignment with their learning styles, preferences, and goals. Consistent access to L&D resources contributes to a culture of learning and continuous improvement.
- Offering career development options. A clear career path influences each employee’s interaction with L&D, which contributes to a learning culture and a culture of opportunity. Employees are less likely to leave their jobs in search of something better if their current position offers a path to promotion.
- Investing in their long-term success. Talented employees are in high demand, and employers must be willing to treat them as the high-value resources they are. A business that focuses on engaging, or reengaging, its employees is more likely to attract the right talent and keep them invested and engaged for the long term.
The nature of work is still evolving to adjust to new models and high employee expectations, and L&D has a growing role in the successful alignment of employees and their employers. To ensure success in 2023, focus your company’s L&D efforts on creating an innovative approach, updating learning technology and resources, and exploring new ways to boost employee engagement.
