HR and L&D experts have learned valuable lessons throughout 2020. Looking forward to 2021, we may anticipate still further shifts. Although we all struggled to keep our heads above water and adapt to events in 2020, 2021 holds a lot of hope and potential for meaningful change as we move forward in the new normal. The pandemic experience has shown, however, that if companies provide their employees with the ability and resources to learn, they can use them to support both themselves and the company. The coming year will provide us with the opportunity to do so and reap the benefits. Something interesting to know is that In the Deloitte 2021 Global Human Capital Trends survey, published December 2020, executives chose “the ability of their people to adapt, reskill, and assume new roles” as the biggest factor in being able to navigate future disruptions, with 72% selecting it as the most important or second most important factor.
Also, almost half (41%) of executives said that “building workforce capability through upskilling, reskilling, and mobility is one of the most important actions they are taking to transform work. Yet only 17% say their workers are very ready to adapt, reskill, and assume new roles”. 2021 workforce training programs can close that gap and create a flexible workforce ready for anything. In this blog, we will dive deeper into some corporate trends of 2021.
Digital training and remote learning
Corporate coaching became digital by default in 2020, providing a springboard to revolutionize coaching delivery and content in 2021. Digital learning is simply regarding individual learners accessing digital learning modules. The foremost effective learning, particularly learning language and communication skills, is social. Teams of learners meet in live virtual school rooms in smaller break-out teams with other learners at their level. At ELAM, this is our LAD, VBOB, and TEFAQ Preparation programs. Digital learning additionally encompasses virtual instructor-led coaching programs – and matched online sessions with human or, in the future, AI, mentors. At ELAM, this is our Blended-Lingua program.
Measuring the value of corporate training programs and L&D
Most HR professionals measure the success of corporate training through test results, completion rates, and even how much money digital learning saves the company compared with traditional classroom delivery. In 2021, the focus should be on what proportion of the training has contributed to helping learners do their everyday tasks – and what proportion of the training drives innovation and business price. This will only happen once people within the organization are connected contributors to the training method, sharing information inside the organization with their training suppliers.
Intelligent technology
We’ve been talking about artificial intelligence (AI) for a long time, but we are optimistic that 2021 is going to be the year HR professionals place AI at the center of learning. AI supports the high level of personalization that makes learning stick. One learner may opt to practice pronunciation on a mobile device during the evening. Another could opt to listen to writing skills podcasts to help them with a work task. In Other words: Language learning is extremely individual.
The future of company coaching for the trendy workforce
Human Resources and L&D professionals will evolve in 2021 as we tend to answer these trends, that specialize in Artificial intelligence and virtual learning. Life in L&D departments can feel totally different as additional organizations create the transition from face-to-face to digital coaching, and from top-down learning delivery towards learners taking responsibility for his or her own learning.