Post-pandemic priorities

Now that businesses are reopening, discussions have begun about the future of work in a post-pandemic world. In times of economic uncertainty, it is often L&D departments to first feel the strain. Deferring employee development, however, may be a thing of the past. Amid a digital transformation, reskilling and upskilling is becoming critical for business recovery and subsequent growth.

Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, a CIPD survey found that learning, training, and development was the top HR priority. Learning and development must not be side-lined when planning for the return of the workforce. L&D, instead, should look at new priorities such as employee well-being and soft skills to aid changing demands. Emphasis on soft skills is becoming increasingly apparent, and emerging technology makes developing soft skills crucial. In fact, according to The LPI, the top courses reported in 2020 include EI, managing stress and resilience.

Focusing on employee developmental wants and needs helps to boost morale and engagement. Research from 2018 found that “2 in 3 workers resign due to lack of learning and development in the workplace” and, in the current economy, businesses cannot afford losing employees. Organisations must retain their already knowledgeable employees to withstand any future challenges, and prioritising upskilling opportunities can help this incentive.

As businesses develop to the changing world, your employees need to develop too. What has your business got in place to support employee upskilling?