Workplace Learning Survey 2013

Organisational learning and development is undergoing rapid change. The doctrine of 70:20:10 reminds us that people acquire the overwhelming majority of what they need to know to do their job not in the classroom but in the workplace. The coincidental but concurrent switch from instructor-led to technology-based learning will see the workplace become the focus of formal as well as informal learning.

While these changes are the subject of much discussion, there is little hard data to inform policy and practice – and particularly with regard to the readiness of managers for this learning revolution. Are they aware of the new responsibilities coming their way? Do they have the time, will and skills to fulfil them?

The Learning Transfer Survey, conducted by ASK since 2010, has been instrumental in revealing the extent to which learning and development practitioners make use of the techniques known to help learners put newly learned capabilities to work after participating in training courses. The Survey’s insights have helped countless trainers and others to increase significantly the amount of training content that learners transfer and apply. (You can request a copy of the Learning Transfer Survey 2012/13 report online.)

While the learning transfer problem is far from resolved, L&D practitioners face new challenges. The widespread adoption of digital training delivery and the emerging importance of informal learning are imposing unprecedented expectations on learners’ managers, but how are they responding? Are they playing an active role in diagnosing formal training needs? Are they helping colleagues make sense of the vast amount of available digital learning content? Is the workplace environment they are creating conducive to informal learning? Are they coaching, mentoring and providing feedback? Or are they demonstrating a similar reluctance to that revealed by many managers in relation to learning transfer?

These are just some of the questions that the new biennial Workplace Learning Survey will address. Between October and December 2013, ASK will be undertaking a UK-wide survey to establish the extent to which managers are willing and able to fulfil the role envisaged for them in the emerging organisational learnscape. We are seeking organisations that will permit us to invite a sample of their managers to complete the anonymous online 20 minute survey.

Participating organisations will receive, free of charge, a report containing not only the national results but also an exclusive analysis of their own managers’ responses. Success in the latest trends in organisational learning will depend to a very great extent on whether managers are prepared to accept new responsibilities: time, motivation, energy and ability will be critical. Whether you are developing L&D policy or preparing your managers for their new responsibilities, the Workplace Learning Survey will provide invaluable information that is not currently available anywhere else.

If you are willing to help us, please contact Robert Terry, Editor of the UK Workplace Learning Survey.

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