Developing a Culture of Learning and Development

Discover everything you need to know below — from key insights to helpful tips that make a difference.

What is the aim of learning and development in the workplace?

Learning and development puts people and skills at the centre of organisational success. According to LinkedIn Learning’s 2023 Workplace Learning Report, the top four focus areas of L&D for 2023 are:

Aligning learning programmes to business goals
Upskilling employees
Creating a culture of learning
Improving employee retention

Think about your job role and those of your team or department — are there areas you could improve with additional training? Are there hidden talents among your staff waiting to be developed?

What are the benefits of learning and development?

Staff who receive regular training report feeling happier. According to the Chartered Institute for Personnel Development (CIPD):

“Happiness makes business sense. A key impact on the bottom line is a reduction in staff turnover. Happier employees stay in the job longer; the 20% least happy employees are twice as likely to leave their job in the next quarter than the 20% happiest employees.”

The CIPD also reports that training makes staff feel more valued and confident in their roles. Investing in learning and development opportunities shows employees you’re invested in them as individuals and want to support their growth.

Regular training ensures staff stay up to date, while new learning opportunities help them expand their skills and keep their roles engaging. This may lead to progression into more senior or specialist positions.

LinkedIn Learning’s 2023 Workplace Learning Report also notes:

“So many obstacles can impede large-scale initiatives. But individual people can make enormous strides. Empowering employees with career development tools and internal mobility options engages learners and expands workforce skills. The ultimate benefit is an organisation that can act quickly on valuable opportunities.”

How can apprenticeships help?

There are many benefits to offering apprenticeships alongside short courses and e-learning your organisation may already provide.

How often have you finished a training course full of ideas, only to return to business as usual? A key benefit of apprenticeships is their structure — delivered over at least 12 months, they offer carefully planned learning that builds knowledge over time and embeds it through real-world application and feedback.

Learners are continuously assessed and supported, leading to long-term skill retention. The final End Point Assessment brings everything together. Read our blog on the 9 benefits of apprenticeships for more.

As the CIPD states: “Learning and development is about creating the right culture and environment for individuals and organisations to learn and grow. It’s knowing the current and future capability needs of the organisation, as well as how to create a learning culture that drives engagement in ongoing professional development.”

Taking the next steps: knowing your current and future needs

There are several steps you can take to rethink and improve your L&D strategy:

Consider your own development — how can you grow while balancing your current responsibilities?
Carry out a gap analysis — when was the last time you evaluated your team’s performance against operational goals? Read more in our TNA blog.
Find out who the best people are to speak to about learning and development in your organisation.