Future of learning: Design an L&D program for changing tech skills

Upskilling and reskilling is the key to keeping up with—and getting value from—any emerging technology. But how do you actually build skills for the future in a constantly changing tech world? 

Prioritize agile learning in the workplace connected to your organization’s goals. Here’s how to buff your learning and development plans.

Looking for more L&D insights in the age of AI? Get your complimentary copy of The AI-Era Learning Manifesto: Outcome-Driven Agile Learning from Gartner®.

Generalized learning for the sake of learning won’t help your organization build critical tech skills. Instead, design personalized skill development aligned with your organization’s goals.

For example, let’s say your organization is migrating to the AWS cloud to reduce operational costs. Everyone will need foundational cloud knowledge, and your technologists will need more advanced skills to build in the cloud. 

Non-technical employees might need to complete a cloud computing foundations course and show how they’re using what they learned in their day-to-day role. Developers will need to dive deeper into AWS and potentially even earn the AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate certification.

Effective upskilling and reskilling takes employee motivation into account. What drives your people to learn new skills? Tap into their goals to generate excitement and boost employee engagement for learning and development.

Our 2024 Technical Skills Report found that the top reason why employees upskill is to improve their job security and confidence. Career advancement and higher salaries are also high on the list.

Show your people how continuous learning can help them achieve personal goals. For example, earning a cloud certification can improve their confidence and prepare them for more advanced technical roles.

When it comes to upskilling, lack of time has consistently been employees’ biggest barrier. You can’t expect them to learn outside of work hours with off-the-job training. They need time to learn at work.

This might be dedicated blocks of learning time or opportunities to apply new skills in current projects. But skill development embedded into the flow of work only succeeds if there’s psychological safety. 

If managers don’t support upskilling or adjust workloads to account for learning, employees may not feel safe enough to build skills for the future.

Technologists want to spend their limited learning time on the skills that matter most. Tailor skill development to specific departments, projects, or outcomes so employees learn relevant skills they can apply immediately. Just-in-time learning is especially important for emerging skills. 

Learning paths are a great way to personalize learning for each role. But creating different learning paths can be time-consuming. Use AI tools like Iris to create custom learning journeys for specific roles, experience levels, and topics.

Get tips to create personalized learning paths for tech skills.

When technologists learn on their own, they may feel disconnected from each other and larger upskilling initiatives. Communities of practice and learning cohorts bring employees together.

This facilitates knowledge sharing and empowers employees to learn from and motivate each other. Mentoring, workshops, and lunch and learns are other ways you can create collective learning opportunities and scale talent development across your organization.

Learn how to build a cloud community of practice.

According to Gartner, “Eighty-five percent of leaders believe AI and digital trends will dramatically increase skills development needs over the next three years. The same Gartner survey found enterprises achieving the best learning outcomes at scale develop skills differently; they use agile learning practices at least 1.5 times more than others.” 

In a competitive market, skill development is a differentiator. When you know the skills your people need, and how to help them build them, you connect learning to earning and show the value of L&D in your organization.

Get your complimentary copy of The AI-Era Learning Manifesto: Outcome-Driven Agile Learning from Gartner®.

Gartner, The AI-Era Learning Manifesto: Outcome-Driven Agile Learning, Graham Waller, Jose Ramirez, 28 August 2024

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