HR 2020: What Will the Future of Skill Development Look Like?
Just a few years ago, employee learning and skill development were “nice to have” perks.
Now? It has become an essential talent strategy.
Here’s why:
- There’s a perfect talent storm brewing. The convergence of skills gaps, low unemployment, and changing technology have created massive talent shortages across industries. HR professionals are prioritizing skill development and other training initiatives to bridge talent gaps.
- The skills needed are changing. In fact, more than 9 out of 10 learning and development leaders say that the skills necessary for today’s workforce have shifted.
- Employees want to learn and grow. Among U.S. employees, 70% say they’re at least somewhat likely to leave their current job for an employer known for investing in employee learning and development.
If you’re not prioritizing skill development, you’re missing out on huge opportunities to attract and retain better talent, build a more competitive organization, engage your workforce and even strengthen your employment brand.
So, just what does a modern skill development initiative look like? Today, we continue our 5-part series on 2020’s top HR trends by reviewing the future of skill development.
Trends in Personal Skill Development
- Microlearning. Research supports the notion that shorter is better when it comes to transferring information. Long-winded lectures are rapidly being supplanted by bite-sized learning modules.
- Mobile, app-based. From instructional videos to gamified training, employers are rolling out more sophisticated, engaging and immersive skill-development tools. Employees can access learning modules anywhere, anytime and from any device.
- Individualized. As career paths become more diverse and personalized, the need for flexibility in skill development increases. Employees will need more specific, personalized training to build proficiencies in the skills relevant to their unique plans.
- Ongoing. Annual training events are going by the wayside. To keep pace with the accelerating rate of change, workers will need to continually acquire new skills to stay relevant and employable.
- Automated. While human trainers and hands-on experiences will always be needed, learning will be increasingly automated. Artificial intelligence will be used to analyze proficiencies, instantly deliver the right training to improve worker performance, and even suggest future skills to be developed.
Skill development is essential for you, too.
As an HR professional, it’s equally important for you to stay on top of your game by improving your skills. In this earlier post, we examine key HR certifications and explain why the right credentials are essential to your career success.
Want more tips for capitalizing on 2020 HR trends?
Read the other posts in this series:
Improving the Candidate Experience
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