Learning fuels growth and agility

LinkedIn's recently released Workplace Learning Report 2023 shows that L&D is certainly on employers' minds. That's why LinkedIn has curated a list of courses to support with upskilling in some of the most in-demand skills in the country right now.

Across the globe, people are craving career progress – and learning and development (L&D) can lead the way

According to LinkedIn’s newly launched 2023 Workplace Learning Report, employees’ number one motivation to learn is “progress toward career goals”

LinkedIn’s report is based on a global survey of more than 1500 L&D professionals, 700 learners and platform data The report showed that to build a resilient and adaptable future, learning leaders are partnering with HR to ensure their workforce has the right tools, the career paths and skills to succeed

On an encouraging note, employers are paying serious attention to their employee’s motivation to learn and get ahead, and 38 per cent of L&D leaders in Australia expect to have more spending power this year, and remain committed to investing in learning

The report also found that 93 per cent of organisations are concerned about employee retention

As a result, learning and development professionals are working on aligning skill building with career growth as the foremost way to retain and engage employees

In ANZ and beyond, it is clear that learning leaders are recognising the need for new, people-centric playbooks to develop employees and organisations towards a resilient and adaptable future Many L&D professionals are also advocating for learning as the engine of growth, agility and retention; people who aren’t learning will leave

“Learning is key to your resilience as a business. If you invest in curiosity, learning and agility for your workforce, you will be able to bounce back from setbacks, adapt to change and be more ready for whatever comes next,” says Cat Ward, Vice President at Jobs for the Future, a non-profit focused on transforming the American workforce and education system.

But L&D isn't only an attraction and retention tool

LinkedIn’s global report also revealed that 89 per cent of L&D professionals agree that proactively building employee skills will help them navigate the evolving future of work. Similarly, 85 per cent of learning leaders across Australia & New Zealand (ANZ) felt the same

“The word 'agility' is one I’m hearing the most as I meet with my peers to discuss strategy for the year ahead, and it all starts with skills,” saysLinda Jingfang Cai, LinkedIn’s Global Head of Learning and Talent Development.

“Forward-thinking organisations need to create environments that embrace and unlock the potential of the whole employee ”

For individuals, agility fuels career growth and relevance. For organisations, agility is the ability to survive and thrive even amid economic headwinds. What is agility, if not constant learning?

“Consider this [report] to be your road map to thriving amid uncertainty,” says Cai. “We need to empower people by providing them with durable, relevant skills that can stand up to any changes in the market.”

Ten top skills

LinkedIn’s data also reveals the ten most sought-after workplace skills

Human skills such as management, communication and leadership rank high among the list, especially with the ongoing prevalence of hybrid work

10 skills companies need the most (in order of importance):

Management Communication

Customer service

Leadership

Sales

Project management Research

Analytical skills

Marketing skills

Teamwork

Upskilling opportunities

L&D professionals need to ensure their people have the skills to navigate the evolving macro environment

“In challenging economic times, there is a strong argument to invest in building critical skills,” says Simon Brown, Chief Learning Officer at Novartis

Access LinkedIn's courses on the most in-demand skills for professionals in Australia

Enhance your capabilities in:

Management: Manager as Coach course

Communication: Unlocking Authentic Communication in a Culturally-Diverse Workplace course

Customer Service: Customer Service Foundations

Leadership: Leading and Motivating People with Different Personalities course

Project Management: Project Management Foundations

Sales: Sales Foundations

Strategy: Strategic Business Analysis Essentials course

Analytical Skills: Critical Thinking and Problem Solving course

Research: Market Research Foundations

Marketing Tools: SEO course

“Companies that hire for skills and cultivate a culture of internal mobility by investing in upskilling and learning opportunities will find it easier to attract and retain top talent,” says Georgina O’Brien, LinkedIn’s Director, APAC Learning and Engagement.

Reflecting that, LinkedIn’s Workplace Learning Report shows that Australian companies which use a skills-first approach to hiring can increase their talent pipeline by 10.2 times.

Becoming an agile organisation

Apart from effective L&D programs, how else can L&D leaders drive agility?

LinkedIn’s report suggests six priorities:

1. Invest in cross-functional relationships

2. Hone your focus on people-centric impact L&D program

3. Champion diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI)

4. Improve your data literacy

5. Activate people managers

6. Prioritise your own thing

“More than ever, learning and development professionals have to be change agents,” says Rachel Richal, Vice President of Training at American sports bar chain Buffalo Wild Wings, and President of the Council of Hotel and Restaurant Trainers.

One of the ways they can do so is by championing DEI –another priority on LinkedIn’s suggested list. LinkedIn’s ANZ data shows that the percentage of L&D professionals working more closely with leaders to foster DEI has grown year over year

“When you create a diverse, inclusive culture, employees contribute their best thinking, become great managers to others, and open the doors to innovations,” says Soon Mee Kim, Chief Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Officer at Omnicom Public Relations Group

Stay up to date on the current state of the learning industry and get more insights from LinkedIn’s 2023 Workplace Learning Report

Read more about the 2023 Workplace Learning Report here: https://learning.linkedin.com/resources/workplace-learning-report