H U M A N R E S O U R C E S F E AT U R E SHRM study confi rms value of training opportunities inattracting employees — Survey Results (Aug. 22, 2022) BOB BETHEL
VP of HR & Learning Services
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orkplace learning and development (L&D) is the primary tool for organizations to fill theknowledge gaps in almost every American company. To understand the current state ofL&D in America’s workplaces, the SHRM Research Institute and TalentLMS surveyedU.S.based HR managers and employees to learn what employees want and expect inthe L&D space today, as well as what organizations are willing and able to provide. According to the new report, 2022 Workplace Learning & Development Trends, L&Dserves a dual purpose for organizations: to reskill and upskill current employees to fillbusiness needs, and to recruit and retain talented workers who want to continuouslylearn. More than 8 in 10 HR managers (83 percent) believe training is beneficial toattract talent, and many employees (48 percent) agree that training opportunities were afactor in choosing their current company. “Organizations must maintain a steady growth of knowledge and skills among theirworkforce if they wish to succeed, both from a business standpoint and to attract theright talent,” said Jim Link, SHRM-SCP, SHRM chief human resources officer. “And whilesome leaders were hesitant to invest in talent during the Great Resignation, our researchshowed that 86 percent of HR managers believe that training is actually beneficial inretaining talent.”
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textbooks and other print materials (34percent), microlearning (32 percent), audio/podcasts (25 percent), role-playing (19percent), and blogs and other Internet sources (17 percent). When it comes to the soft skills employees want to develop and what employersprovide, there are some discrepancies. For example, 61 percent of employersprovide time-management training but only 42 percent of respondents said this wasan area where they wanted training. Employers and employees are more closelyaligned around leadership skills: 54 percent of respondents said they want thistraining and 53 percent of employers provide it.
“Workplace training impacts another key pillar of peoplecentric organizations – and thatis employee journey,” said Dimitris Tsingos, co-founder and president at Epignosis, thecompany behind TalentLMS. “Reinforcing employee experience is a leading training goalfor over 9 in 10 HR managers, our research revealed. Showing that L&D is crucial inshaping employee experience and creating a positive and caring culture.”
The research also found that how you deliver that training is crucial if you want a returnon your investment. While 75 percent of employees surveyed said they are satisfied withtheir training, organizations need to look closely at how they train employees, how oftenemployees receive Key survey findings include: training, and its relevancy to their immediate jobs. They • 55 percent of workers said they need more training should alsoheed workers’ desire to develop leadership to perform their job moreeffectively, and 38 percent skills as well as training in life skills and self-management, want training that is more relevant to their current according to the report. role. • 32 percent want training to have a social element, Source: Society for Human Resource Management. such as peer-to-peer learningand learning groups. • 32 percent want to be sure what they are learning is current. • 31 percent want more control over the training programs, including being able tochoose methods that match their learning style and development opportunities that make sense for their career progression. • Instruction using simulations was the most popular choice (64 percent) among ninedifferent methods that included coaching/mentoring (51 percent), video (50percent), webinars/lectures (38 percent),
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