LinkedIn finds 10% of workers hired this year have job titles that didn’t exist in 2000
As artificial intelligence (AI) transforms the nature of work, the skills required to succeed in the workplace are quickly changing.
In Australia, it’s projected that the skills needed for jobs are expected to change by 66% by 2030 compared to 2016 due to the technological advancements of Generative AI (GAI), compared to only 50% without the influence of AI - a skills shift which highlights how critical continuous learning and upskilling is to keep up with the rate of change. For HR professionals, fostering a culture of learning has never been more critical. Yet, with busy schedules and competing priorities, many professionals say they struggle to find the time to focus on learning.
Business leaders recognise they can’t rely on old playbooks in this new era of work and employees are also keen to get a head-start. 63% of Aussie professionals are searching for more guidance and support than ever before, while 67% feel overwhelmed by how quickly their jobs are changing.
To help employees navigate this change, enter “Loud Learning,” a trend that encourages professionals to be loud and intentional about taking time to dedicate time to learning and improving their professional skills in the workplace. Openly commiting to their learning - a move to enhance skills development and also inspiring others to do the same.
While the need for upskilling is clear, professionals in Australia face significant practical barriers. A recent LinkedIn survey found that 90% of Australian professionals encounter obstacles when trying to prioritise skill development at work. These include:
If not addressed, these challenges can have a negative impact on career growth and leave many professionals unprepared for future skills and job demands.
The solution? It all starts by creating a learning-focused culture in the workplace. There is clearly significant room to grow here, as only 52% of Australian professionals believe that their company promotes a culture of learning.
To bridge the gap between where professionals are in their development today and where they need to be, "Loud Learning" has emerged as a powerful concept. It encourages employees to take control of their learning journeys by visibly setting aside time to develop new skills and sharing their progress with colleagues.
This open commitment to learning not only enhances personal development but also inspires others, creating a ripple effect throughout the organization.For L&D professionals, promoting Loud Learning doesn’t have to be complicated. A key tactic is to actively block out time for learning and encourage employees to do the same, making professional growth a visible priority across the team.
According to Scott Marshall, Head of Organisational Capability at Woodside Energy, employees are often already eager to learn. "Our people have a need, a demand, and an interest in developing skills that help them do their jobs," he notes. “I think we’ve only scratched the surface with tools like AI. It’s not about replacing people, it’s about augmenting their day job and taking them from busy work to strategic work.”
Incorporating Loud Learning into a broader organisational strategy can also ensure that learning is aligned with long-term business goals. David Maiolo, Senior Manager of Learning Channels at Bendigo and Adelaide Bank, stresses the importance of mapping roles, skills, and capabilities to workforce planning. "Leveraging LinkedIn Learning as part of that strategy, and the way we map, assess, and provide learning around those skills, is going to be crucial as we move forward," he explains.
Sharing learning progress, both internally and on platforms like LinkedIn, further reinforces a culture of learning and motivates others to embark on their own learning journeys. L&D pros can also encourage the idea of a "Learning BFF"—a peer who supports and holds each other accountable for learning goals. When leadership teams model this behaviour by openly engaging in their own learning, it sends a clear message that continuous development is valued at all levels of the organisation.
The practice of Loud Learning has already resulted in tangible benefits in Australian workplaces. According to LinkedIn, 50% of Australian professionals believe that engaging in Loud Learning can help advance their careers.
The visibility they gain can also lead to mentorship opportunities, increased recognition, and potential promotions. It allows employees to showcase their dedication to keeping their skillset relevant and up-to-date, which can work wonders for ‘personal branding’ when considering career goal ambitions.
Ultimately, the success of proactive learning doesn’t just benefit individuals – it also filters down to the bottom line. In the context of AI's growing influence, having a team that is continuously developing both technical and human-centric skills is crucial for long-term success in all businesses, no matter their industry.
Throughout this period of change, LinkedIn has remained at the forefront of research, learning and development for professionals globally.
LinkedIn Learning has become a go-to resource for professionals looking to upskill according to latest industry demands. The platform offers a vast array of over 23,000 courses, covering everything from soft skills to cutting-edge AI technologies. This includes over 600 AI courses, which cover everything from basic definitions of generative AI, to a more thorough introduction to artificial intelligence, to practical applications of AI.
With 52% of Australian professionals saying they prefer to learn online, LinkedIn’s new AI-powered coaching helps learners to get the most out of their journey. Platform users can get real-time insights by asking simple questions – for example, “Can you simplify this?” or “How does this apply to my role?”
To help empower Loud Learning try these free LinkedIn Learning Courses to help employees develop critical skills in the age of AI, free until 31 December 2024.
