Could the latest learning trends help push your career to the next level?

Upskilling at pace with the changing world of work could give you the competitive edge needed to level up from middle management to top leadership material. So are you doing enough to grow your expertise and future-proof your career?As the ongoing coronavirus crisis accelerates business changes that might otherwise have taken much longer – such as the shift towards remote working – having the right skillset has never been more important. Yet companies often struggle to fill skills gaps from within their own HR talent pipeline, with only 55% of managerial vacancies being filled internally, according to the Institute of Leadership and Management.Against this evolving backdrop, how can you acquire the right skills to take your role to the next stage? In this short read, in partnership with online educators Learna, we look at five learning trends that could help shape your career development – from virtual training to today’s more accessible MBAs.Upskilling is becoming increasingly self-directedGone are the days of predominantly classroom-style L&D. Enhanced technology paired with new flexible ways of working mean career development is often self-initiated.According to research conducted by Fosway Group, 82 per cent of L&D professionals report that demand for digital learning had increased from senior stakeholders – while 71 per cent said they had experienced an increased demand for digital learning content from learners themselves.You can positively harness the shift toward self-directed learning by taking the wheel and regularly scheduling your own sessions. After all, two thirds (67 per cent) of L&D practitioners say their approach to learning has changed for good as a result of the pandemic. It’s never been easier to work to your strengthsEveryone favours a different style of learning – collaborative, casual, experiential – and the move towards virtual L&D means you can increasingly approach career development in the way that works best for you. As Patricia McEvoy, EY talent development director for for UK and Ireland, recently told People Management: “Virtual learning offerings, many of which are bitesize and available on demand, allow individuals to invest in their own skillset in a way that suits their schedule and learning style, while also enabling businesses to build their workforce skills capital in readiness for new future demands.”Bitesized is key for online learners, confirms Courtney Probert, COO of Learna Ltd. “We find that the majority of our students are busy working professionals, juggling caring responsibilities and trying to find work-life balance. In order to fit study in alongside everything else, the learning methodology really needs to have flexibility at its heart. “Our programmes have no lectures, no seminars and no fixed times for students to log on – they can do so during a break, on their morning commute, or whenever and wherever is convenient,” she continues. “Our students have told us this flexibility was key not only to them choosing an online course for their study, but also to their success on our programmes.”Learning and self-development has never been more globalNowadays we’re all used to accessing expertise from anywhere in the world, at our convenience. The explosion of online learning platforms – from MasterClass, with its roster of international celebrity ‘coaches’, to creative hub Domestika – have enabled learners to hone skills from novel-writing to knitting in the comfort of their own home. For savvy professionals, the globalised learning boom presents an opportunity to reach industry specialists, wherever in the world they may be.Since its inception in 2010, Learna has welcomed over 5,000 online students from more than 100 countries. “As time zones are no barrier and we don’t have an international surcharge, the world is truly our campus,” says Probert. As she points out, this also allows students to expand their network around the globe and get a truly international perspective.That’s certainly been the case for Helen Davies, a current MBA student with Learna. “I was a little worried about how interaction with my classmates would be, given the course was all online, but I needn’t have worried – the group is fantastic,” she says. “We are living in different continents and time zones, and this has really enhanced the discussions and conversation. I have gained a wealth of insight and a whole new outlook on business, leadership and management.”It’s time to consider learning opportunities outside of your immediate organisationWhile most businesses will have a dedicated L&A programme for you to tap into, a course at an online university might be just the ticket if you’re looking for something more intensive.The pandemic has smashed any remaining misconceptions about online universities being second rate, with many eminent bricks-and-mortar institutions increasingly migrating to the virtual realm – not just from COVID-driven necessity, but in order to attract top talent. MBAs are now more accessible – and relevant – than ever Once seen as something for the top business elite, MBAs are becoming more accessible and affordable than ever, thanks to the online marketplace. And the skills gaps highlighted by the pandemic have made an MBA even more attractive to employers, according to the Graduate Management Admission Council’s 2020 Corporate Recruiters Survey, which found that 90 per cent of employers had plans to hire MBA graduates in 2020 and 2021.The council’s president, Sangeet Chowfla, commented: “When thinking about the skills and experience required to help organisations and industries rebuild after an event like COVID-19, it makes sense that employers are expressing a desire to hire more MBA and business masters graduates.”The GMAC has also highlighted a trend towards sector-specific MBAs. According to their previous research, a quarter of employers would reportedly pay a salary premium for graduates with specialised MBA degrees.“A specialised MBA gives you that deep dive into how principles of management, leadership and strategy can be implemented into your industry,” notes Probert. “Not only does it set you apart from the competition when it comes to future career progression, it also lets you take what you are learning and make a difference to your current role immediately. A benefit which gives you a huge advantage in terms of getting your employer to support your MBA – either financially or otherwise.” To find out more about the business courses offered by Learna, please visit: https://www.learna.ac.uk/courses

Could the latest learning trends help push your career to the next level?

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