Learning at work 2023

Global challenges have created an uncertain and changing environment for workplaces. The focus for organisations is back once again on growth, cost reduction and productivity. With the shelf life of skill expected to continually decline, retaining the right people with the right skills is a top priority for all.

This survey report, aimed at learning professionals, and HR leaders and people professionals with a learning remit, looks at how learning practitioners are contributing to continually changing workplace demands. It explores the sentiment and perceptions of the L&D community: current priorities, challenges, how practitioners feel about their careers and professional development, and highlights potential changes in practice that will help them add value and thrive through disruption.

Key findings

Addressing the skills gap is the top priority

Addressing the skills gap is the number one priority for L&D professionals (29%). However, they are prioritising inputs (for example, increasing self-directed learning) over outputs (for example, speeding up the transfer of learning).

L&D is under pressure

While L&D budget and headcount have rebounded and increased over the past 12 months, 53% of those working in L&D functions agreed their overall team workload has also increased.

Collaborative technologies have seen the biggest rise

Technologies that enable collaboration have seen the biggest rise year-on-year, with usage of webinars, podcasts and social learning all higher than pre-pandemic times.

Proactive problem-solving has increased

There has been an increase in the number of L&D professionals who are proactive in understanding a performance issue before recommending a solution (57% in 2023 versus 32% in 2021), but that still leaves a significant number potentially working on activities that do not contribute to improving performance.

Two-thirds agree they have a meaningful career

Sixty-five per cent of L&D professionals agree that the profession offers a meaningful career. However, L&D leaders view the profession more favourably than practitioners, particularly in terms of career prospects and the impact of L&D on the organisation. It is up to them to lead by example and create opportunities for their teams.

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Learning at work 2023 survey report

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Learning at work 2023 executive summary

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About the survey

The survey was conducted online with YouGov during January and February 2023, with 91% of respondents being UK-based. We surveyed 1,108 professionals who have responsibility for supporting learning at work. These came from a range of sectors and company sizes and included roles with different levels of responsibility and accountability.

Access the Learning at work survey archive

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