learning and development valued by employees and employers.

According to our latest Workmonitor survey, both employees and employers are in agreement — learning and development are critical to the future of work.

Our survey reveals 89 percent of U.S. workers value job security. While current economic uncertainties may contribute to these concerns, today’s workers also realize that continuing training and development are a must to remain employable during an age of rapid technological advances. Ultimately, your employees want to know they can grow with the company and remain relevant in the shifting job market.

The onus is on employers to meet employees halfway by providing actionable learning and development opportunities, specifically regarding the most pressing and trending skill sets. Fortunately, the right employee training program can help employers narrow the skills gap by equipping their workers with the skills they need both currently and for the future of work.

This article takes a closer look at how technology is changing the way of work and how a robust learning and development strategy can help both employers and employees remain relevant.

keeping up with advancements in AI

Artificial intelligence (AI) is changing the way of work at organizations across the globe. Businesses of all sizes and nearly every industry are now tapping into the power of AI technology. For example, AI-powered chatbots can handle basic customer inquiries, schedule and manage appointments and provide customer assistance. AI can also help employers with the recruitment process by identifying which candidates are the best match for specific roles. These are just a few of the many ways AI is changing the way of work at organizations of all industries.

Both employers and employees recognize this shift in the workplace and realize just how important it is to have the skills necessary to manage AI technology. For instance, the ability to track and analyze data is becoming an increasingly sought-after skill.

Our latest Workmonitor shows that employees want to have the skill sets necessary to perform their current role and to gain more AI-related skills to ensure they remain relevant in the years to come. In fact, one in five survey respondents want more learning and development opportunities pertaining to advancement in AI. This rate jumps to 36 percent for those working in IT.

how are employers responding?

On the plus side, more than half of the respondents to our survey believe that new hires are receiving the right level of training to use the technologies necessary to complete their roles. Unfortunately, only 11 percent of respondents admit to receiving AI learning and development opportunities in the workplace. It’s important that employers don’t stop the learning process at the hiring stage and make AI training an ongoing process.

IT and technological literacy training

Rapid advancements in technology are also changing the landscape of today’s workplace. For decades, technology and automation have been replacing various roles in the workplace. A phenomenon that is not expected to slow down any time in the near future.

It would be an understatement to say that today’s workers are concerned that these advancements could jeopardize their position in the company. However, employers need to acquire talent with advanced tech skills to manage this technology, and they need workers who know how to use this technology in their daily work routine. The demand for IT and tech skills in the workplace is just as important for workers as it is for employers.

Providing IT and technology literacy training can equip your current workers with the skills they need to grow with the company and provide a sense of stability that today’s workers crave. Most importantly, it can help your organization acquire the IT and tech skill sets it needs to successfully implement emerging technologies in the workplace.

Our research shows that 21 percent of U.S. workers want this type of training in the workplace. This rate increases to 47 percent for those working in IT roles.

are employers meeting workers’ expectations?

Despite the fact that IT and technology learning and development opportunities can be a win-win for both employers and employees, many organizations are still failing to offer this type of training. In fact, our research shows that only 14 percent of respondents have been offered IT and technology literacy training at work.

employers still have work to do

According to our research, learning and development pertaining to AI, IT and technology is one area where employers and employees agree. Both believe this type of training is important today and critical for the future of work. Our research also shows that today’s workers are willing to partake in these learning and development opportunities and want this type of training in the workplace.

Unfortunately, our research also shows that employers are not meeting their workers’ expectations and, in some cases, are failing to provide any type of AI, IT and tech training. This is a missed opportunity for employers because a robust learning and development program can improve workplace productivity, increase job satisfaction and boost your retention and recruitment efforts.

It’s important for organizations to realize that an investment in learning and development can be mutually beneficial to both the employer and employees. This type of investment allows employers and employees to work together to meet mutual goals of improving performance and preparing for the future of work.