As the new financial year begin, many organizations are rethinking their learning and development priorities. The focus is shifting toward smarter, faster, and more people-centered learning. Here are a few key trends we’re seeing—along with some of our own observations from working closely with clients across industries:
Skills-First Learning
There’s growing demand for training that builds specific, job-relevant skills rather than broad role-based learning.
Our thoughts: Not only is this faster to implement and easier to measure, but the skills stay with the learner as they move between roles or departments. It’s a more sustainable approach—for both the individual and the business.
Microlearning
Short, focused modules continue to be a favourite—easy to access, easy to retain, and perfect for busy teams.
Our thoughts: We’re seeing more interest in this from clients, yet many still hesitate, even though it could really help. With employees constantly shifting between tasks and meetings, expecting them to sit through hour-long training doesn’t always make sense. Microlearning aligns better with today’s fast-paced work environments—and makes content easier to revisit when it becomes relevant.
AI in L&D
Artificial Intelligence is helping personalize learning, recommend content, speed up development, and track progress more effectively.
Our thoughts: You’ll hear us mention “sustainable” and “agile” a lot—and for good reason. AI helps by reducing the time learners spend searching for the right content, giving them more time to focus on what really matters. That’s what good AI should do—support people by saving them time and effort.
Soft Skills Matter More Than Ever
Skills like communication, adaptability, leadership, and emotional intelligence are in high demand—especially in hybrid or distributed teams.
Our thoughts: Just like tech and medicine, our understanding of psychology and how we work together is evolving. The way we lead, manage, and collaborate today is not what it was five years ago. These aren’t just “nice to have” skills—they’re central to performance and need to be updated regularly.
Blended Learning is Here to Stay
A mix of virtual, digital, and in-person learning allows for greater flexibility and engagement.
Our thoughts: When done well, it offers the best of both worlds. One simple framework we often recommend: use eLearning to establish baseline understanding, follow it with facilitated sessions to deepen and apply knowledge, then reinforce it again through eLearning or on-the-job support. This not only ensures consistency, but also makes space for reflection and retention.
Localization & Multilingual Content
Training in local languages ensures inclusivity and better outcomes—especially for large and diverse teams.
Our thoughts: While we live in a global world, localization still matters. Learners absorb and respond better to content that reflects their language and culture. For example, many U.S. companies prefer content tailored to American learners—and rightly so. But the same logic should apply in reverse. Localizing content for teams in India or across Asia shows respect, improves relevance, and increases ROI. If it’s within your budget, it’s an investment worth making.
As you plan for the year ahead, these trends—and the thinking behind them—can guide a more flexible, practical, and future-ready approach to learning.
Let us know if you’d like to explore how we can support your L&D goals this year.
