Throughout the year, TrainingZone will offer learning and development (L&D) professionals access to tangible guidance and thought-provoking opinion on the world of work and learning in 2026 and beyond.

We welcome guest contributions from leading people practitioners and experts, providing the content is aligned with one of our themes and content types (see style guide).

If you would like to write for TrainingZone, please continue reading to understand what we look for from guest articles.

Core topics for 2026

We will publish relevant, fresh content throughout the year on the following topics related to the L&D profession.

• Reskilling, upskilling and right skilling: Strategies for continuous skill development to keep pace with technological and market challenges | Supporting skill agility that enables adaptation to new challenges and smooth transitions between roles
• AI-driven learning: From experimentation to use | Hyper-personalised learning paths tailored to varying roles, skill levels and career opportunities |  AI analysis of performance, learning preferences and skill gaps to deliver relevant and bespoke L&D | AI chatbots or coaches as virtual learning assistants
• Immersive learning technologies: Role of augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) in L&D | Practising skills in a simulated environment 
• Data-informed L&D decision making: Leveraging data analytics to track learning impact, adjust L&D strategies, and maintain a competitive edge
• Rethinking leadership and management development: Context-driven approaches | Human-centric approaches | Leading in complexity | Managing dispersed teams | Leading multi-generational teams | Reimagining development approaches | AI-informed leadership
• The psychology and neuroscience of learning: Neuroplasticity | Memory formation and retrieval | AI and neuroscience | Motivation and emotion | learning disabilities | Social and cultural influences
• Reskilling and elevating L&D leaders: Strategic thinking | future-planning | digital fluency and tech skills | data literacy | agile approaches | business alignment |  emotional intelligence | succession planning for L&D roles
• L&D’s role in supporting diversity, equity inclusion and belonging (DEIB): Inclusive leadership development | Bias awareness and reduction | Accessibility and accommodation | Cultural competency | Employee resource groups | Dealing with grey areas | DEIB metrics and analytics | Mentorship and sponsorship programmes
• L&D basics refresh: Needs analysis | Learning objectives | Learning transfer | Curriculum design | Instructional design principles | Content development | Learning delivery methods | Facilitator training | Assessment and evaluation | Learning tech | Continuous improvement

Seasonal and current trends

Here are the seasonal trends we will focus on:

Autumn

• Graduate development
• End of summer holidays – back to learning
• L&D strategy / budgets

Winter:

• Reflections on the year
• Predictions, resolutions and trends for the new year
• Festivities and their impact on learning
• Winter wellbeing

Spring:

• Spring budget
• Apprenticeships
• Renewed energy from lighter days – impact on learning

Summer:

• Learning outdoors
• Learning in hot weather
• Impact of holiday season on development

Current trends

We also welcome articles that explore the L&D impact of current affairs, such as:

• Updates to skills and education legislation
• State of economy / finance-related affairs
• Skills shortages

Pitching articles

Please email your article pitch to editor@trainingzone.co.uk 

What to include:

• Working title
• Author details
• Content type (see style guide)
• Short synopsis: 100-200 words
• Proposed deadline