Only 11% of firms have a learning culture in place

Employees might be desperate for training in their workplaces, but looks like not a lot of firms are actually building an environment which is conducive for corporate learning.

The Human Capital Institute (HCI) paired up with Paradigm Learning as its research partner in a study entitled Learning Unbound: Agile Employee Development. It found that only 11% of firms today embody the values and beliefs which make up a strong learning culture.

These included viewing learning as a process, instead of an event. Less than half (47%) of the respondents polled stated they embodied this belief in their organisation.

"An organisation with a strong learning culture values and places a high priority on the learning and development of all its employees," the report stated.

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"There is a belief demonstrated by leadership that learning is a continuous process, and challenges, mistakes, and risks are opportunities to gain experience and knowledge and not situations to be avoided. Ideas and feedback are encouraged and valued."

Elaborating further, the report found that only 15% of firms encourage learning from mistakes, while 30% believe that learning agility is a valued competency in all employees.

It stressed organisations should focus on developing such a learning culture as firms with this environment are more likely to have a strong leadership pipeline and be confident in their high-potentials.

It added, however, that in two years time, more and more employees, and not only high-potentials, will have opportunities for job rotations, action learning projects, stretch assignments, and access to mentors.

Organisations will also be opening up their learning channels to all employees.

It highlighted formal mentoring programmes for all employees are expected to grow 131% over the next two years.

"Developmental programs are matched to immediate and long-term business needs, delivered through various channels but mostly on the job, and evaluated and measured for impact," the report stated.

"This growth mindset paired with developmental opportunities for all causes employees to adapt well to changing business environments, thus creates an agile organisation."

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