The top new year's resolutions for L&D practitioners in 2014 are to develop their personal skills and to reach more people with learning in their organisations, according to a survey by Video Arts.
The findings also reflect the challenges of the L&D role, with more than one in five practitioners saying they lack motivation, suffer from stress and want to change jobs. The survey asked 55 L&D practitioners what they'd like to do more of, in their role, in 2014. 44% said they wanted to reach more people with learning; 42% want to improve their use of technology for training; 42% want to offer more informal learning options to employees; 40% said they wanted to improve leadership skills within their organisation and 35% would like to improve the way they measure their return on investment from learning. Others plan to enhance customer service and communication skills in their organisations.
The survey also asked the L&D practitioners about their personal new year's resolutions. 67% said they want to develop their own skills in 2014; 33% said they’d like to innovate more; 29% want to be more productive; 27% would like to feel more motivated and 27% would like to manage their stress better. 22% said they'd like to find another job.
"On one hand, our survey suggests that L&D practitioners recognise that they can do more to enhance their own productivity and to make better use of technology to reach more people with learning," said Martin Addison, CEO of Video Arts. "However, the findings also show a flipside for L&D, with almost one in three practitioners saying they lack motivation, 27% feel they are experiencing a high level of stress and more than a fifth would like to change jobs. The fact that six out of ten practitioners want to develop their own skills could either reflect a commendable desire for continuous improvement or it could mean that the changing nature of L&D has left some practitioners feeling ill-equipped for the role."
A wider industry survey conducted by Video Arts in November 2013 showed that 56% of L&D practitioners see their main role as a facilitator; 24% cited content manager or curator; 15% said subject matter expert and only 5% see their main role as an instructor.
"It's a challenge for anyone to stay on top of their game when the ground is shifting beneath their feet," said Martin Addison. "The majority of L&D practitioners are managing to adapt as technology evolves and their role changes but others are at best treading water and some clearly feel they're being dragged under. Organisations should be doing more to help any L&D practitioners who are feeling the pressure or who may be struggling to cope in their role."
