With so much talk, and perhaps hype, around skills-based learning, how do we tune into the signal and tune out the noise? One way to do this is to talk with the leaders who have incorporated skills-based learning in more than one organisation and are making it work for them, their workforce, and organisation. In this episode Brandon Caldwell explains how he’s done just this - the hard way and the AI-powered much faster way - and how you can too.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Skills-based learning is a language that everybody can understand.
• AI is accelerating the rollout of skills-based learning at a staggering pace.
• Using AI a task that would take 4 to 5 years has been done in 18 months.
• Skills-based learning largely solves the issues caused by today´s tight labour market.
• Business leaders already understand that skills-based learning works. They desperately want you to provide it.
• Because the skills are the nuts and bolts that help enable people to do the tasks, this is wholeheartedly performance oriented.
• Introducing skills-based learning is costly, so starting in the right place matters. Brandon explains how to do that.
• Skills are truly transferable. If someone in marketing wants to become an HR manager, they can do that and do it quickly. A marketer knows how to promote the job to attract the best new personnel.
• Anticipate roadblocks and adapt.
• Embrace the technology. It now works and will transform your ability to deliver.

BEST MOMENTS

'With skills-based learning, you are using a language that everybody can understand.'

'Skills are the nuts and bolts that help enable people to do the tasks.'

'The ability to do what used to take years and do it now in a matter of months is significant, and you can't ignore that.'

Brandon Caldwell Bio

Brandon is Director of People & Culture at 365 Retail Markets, the global leader in unattended and self-checkout retail technology. With more than 20 years of experience in HR and L&D leadership, Brandon is a highly credible and impact-driven leader in our field.

Useful links

SkillsGPT: https://chat.openai.com/g/g-bE1ZPceUl-skills-gpt

VALUABLE RESOURCES

The Learning And Development Podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-learning-development-podcast/id1466927523

L&D Master Class Series: https://360learning.com/blog/l-and-d-masterclass-home/

ABOUT THE HOST

David James

David has been a People Development professional for more than 20 years, most notably as Director of Talent, Learning & OD for The Walt Disney Company across Europe, the Middle East & Africa.

As well as being the Chief Learning Officer at 360Learning, David is a prominent writer and speaker on topics around modern and digital L&D.

CONTACT METHOD

• Twitter:  https://twitter.com/davidinlearning/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidjameslinkedin/
• L&D Collective: https://360learning.com/the-l-and-d-collective/
• Blog: https://360learning.com/blog/
• L&D Master Class Series: https://360learning.com/blog/l-and-d-masterclass-home/

Skills-based learning is the response to the skills gaps and skills shortages being experienced across organisations, industries, and even entire economies. But how do we ensure that we achieve this, and that skills-based learning isn’t just another fad that departs as swiftly as it emerged without achieving what it’s intended to? In this episode, James Griffin talks about how L&D can step up, upskill, and deliver on the much-heralded promise of skills-based learning.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• L&D as a function needs to be brave and make the change. Skills-based learning is the opportunity to lead the way and make a difference.
• The use of skills data leads to L&D being far more effective.
• You can only measure business impact when you fully understand the problem you are addressing.
• Getting yourself organized around skills is more dynamic.
• Assess people for the work they are doing.
• Being able to build fast and edit regularly keeps the training relevant.
• Skills need to be identified and described using natural, easily understood language.
• Proficiency levels need to be measurable. AI can play a role in this task.
• AI will help us to bridge the gaps. However, each solution needs to be rigorously evaluated.
• Not all businesses are equipped to go down the skills-based learning route. James explains how to get them ready.
• People are an asset; we need to measure their performance and learning and development ROI.

BEST MOMENTS

'The ability for them to be more efficient in the work that they do is now real.'

'Go to the people that do advocate for skills…. go where there is the appetite.'

'Skills are not the end game….increase performance and productivity are.'

James Griffin Bio

James is customer-focused executive, with in-depth consulting experience in enterprise SaaS innovations across the Skills & Talent spectrum.

Over the last 5+ years, James has spent a huge amount of time consulting with the largest enterprises on the planet on how to reimagine their talent transformation strategies and how to get started with skills.

You can follow and contact James via:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamesthegriff/

Website: https://skillcollective.co.uk/

SkillsGPT: https://chat.openai.com/g/g-bE1ZPceUl-skillsgpt

VALUABLE RESOURCES

The Learning And Development Podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-learning-development-podcast/id1466927523

L&D Master Class Series: https://360learning.com/blog/l-and-d-masterclass-home/

ABOUT THE HOST

David James

David has been a People Development professional for more than 20 years, most notably as Director of Talent, Learning & OD for The Walt Disney Company across Europe, the Middle East & Africa.

As well as being the Chief Learning Officer at 360Learning, David is a prominent writer and speaker on topics around modern and digital L&D.

CONTACT METHOD

• Twitter:  https://twitter.com/davidinlearning/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidjameslinkedin/
• L&D Collective: https://360learning.com/the-l-and-d-collective/
• Blog: https://360learning.com/blog/
• L&D Master Class Series: https://360learning.com/blog/l-and-d-masterclass-home/

There’s often a huge difference between the rhetoric around L&D leadership and the reality. It’s not all about creating a Learning Culture and sailing a course to L&D nirvana. The reality is it’s a lot messier with a lot of hustle, winning some days and losing many more. In this episode, presented by 360Learning, Simon Gibson lifts the lid on his reality and how L&D leadership today is evolving and changing within these turbulent times.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Hiring people from diverse backgrounds and disciplines results in a more innovative and resilient team.
• L&D is evolving fast, so there are some big skill gaps, e.g. data analysis.
• Those professionals who can prove the positive impact they have had on the business are the most likely to get hired.
• Get under the skin of what the managers you work for really need.
• Getting managers together to discuss what challenges they face and how they overcome them is incredibly instructive for them and you. Discovery sessions are powerful.
• Being clear about what you are trying to fix and staying focused on that is essential.
• Analysis is essential, without it you cannot prove that you are actually closing the skills gap.
• Consumption does not equal competence. If that knowledge is not retained and applied on the job, the training is useless.

BEST MOMENTS

'Theory is one thing, but show me how, show me when and what that meant. Build that body of evidence.'

'They're bound by restricted and empowered by the culture.'

'Go build that commercial muscle, go find out how things work, go find out how things are made.'

VALUABLE RESOURCES

The Learning And Development Podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-learning-development-podcast/id1466927523

L&D Master Class Series: https://360learning.com/blog/l-and-d-masterclass-home/

Simon Gibson Bio

Simon is Group Head of Learning & Development at Marks & Spencer and an experienced executive-level People Leader/Chief Learning Officer. He has a passion to deliver meaningful commercial change and transformation via learning, organisational development, and talent initiatives.

You can follow and connect with Simon via:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/simongibsonlearning/

X / Twitter: @simon1gibson

ABOUT THE HOST

David James

David has been a People Development professional for more than 20 years, most notably as Director of Talent, Learning & OD for The Walt Disney Company across Europe, the Middle East & Africa.

As well as being the Chief Learning Officer at 360Learning, David is a prominent writer and speaker on topics around modern and digital L&D.

CONTACT METHOD

• Twitter:  https://twitter.com/davidinlearning/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidjameslinkedin/
• L&D Collective: https://360learning.com/the-l-and-d-collective/
• Blog: https://360learning.com/blog/
• L&D Master Class Series: https://360learning.com/blog/l-and-d-masterclass-home/