Future of learning | CIPD's L&D Chief explains how fresh learning can boost productivity

Workplace learning can often feel rote. A task that employees approach begrudgingly: tacking it onto the end of their to-do lists; far below responsibilities connected to the central aspects of their role.

Only completing their learning so they don’t get harangued by a line manager or receive an automated warning from a system that they rarely use.

For L&D professionals the above is a terrible scenario. And, whilst it is described in a partially facetious manner; it is one that is all-too-recognisable and has a serious business impact if not rectified.

To combat poor engagement with L&D, Andy Lancaster, Head of Learning & Development, CIPD, wrote in an abstract for a recently published CIPD paper entitled ‘Driving Performance and Productivity’, arguing that a “fresh approach to learning, in which the primary focus is on key business needs and KPIs, is crucial.”