As many employers today are finding ways to combat attraction and retention challenges, learning and development (L&D) efforts are one way for organisations to find and keep employees. Workplace trends and protocols change fast, so today’s workforce wants to broaden their skill sets to keep up with industry and role evolution. To meet this desire, a culture that promotes continuous learning can facilitate an environment where employees are equipped to maintain a competitive skillset. In turn, this can help an organisation keep up in today’s marketplace.

This article explores the benefits of organisational learning cultures and how employers can build or reinforce that culture.

Understanding a Culture of Learning

An authentic learning culture supports a growth mindset, an independent pursuit for knowledge and collective understanding related to organisational missions and goals. Not only do employees want to learn and apply new skills in their job and company, but they’re also open to sharing that knowledge with others. According to research by recruitment company Totaljobs, 9 in 10 employers saw an increase in the wider team’s skillset following an individual’s training programme. This was due to the newly trained employee sharing their learnt skills. Additionally, a strong culture of learning is an important factor in employee engagement. According to a LinkedIn Workforce Learning Report, 94 per cent of employees would stay at a

company longer if it simply invested in helping them learn. When employees don’t have development and career advancement opportunities, they may feel unchallenged or unmotivated in their roles. It’s wise for employers to cultivate a workplace culture that offers opportunities to help support employees on their learning journeys.

Alongside being a powerful recruitment and retention tool for organisations, a learning company culture has the potential to impact workplaces by:

• Closing worker skill gaps
• Keeping up with workplace demands
• Increasing employee innovation and creativity

Moreover, a successful L&D programme may boost employee productivity. Eight in 10 employers reported a noticeable improvement in an employee’s output following a training programme, according to research by Totaljobs.

As with any workplace initiative, L&D efforts are an investment. However, employers should consider L&D an investment in both employees and the organisation as a whole.

Creating a Culture of Learning

Developing a learning company culture takes time and dedication, but the payoff is typically worth it in the long run. Consider the following ways to build or reinforce a workplace culture of learning:

• Personalise learning. Employers can offer personalised learning plans to help guide employees on their journeys to make learning efforts relevant. Instead of focusing on course completion, employers can support employees’ long-term learning to reach their career goals.
• Support risk-taking. Employers can tolerate and perhaps even encourage mistakes—as long as they support learning and growth and are managed appropriately. When employees feel safe taking risks, significant growth can occur at the individual and team levels. The feasibility of this strategy will vary based on industry and organisation.
• Reward and recognise learning. Employers need to show their appreciation and value of learning regularly. Focus on how employees apply their newfound knowledge rather than simply what was accomplished.
• Leverage technology. Employers incorporate e-learning, online coaching and learning management systems (LMSs) to train and develop their workforce. The right technology learning environment can facilitate and support continuous learning, ultimately making it accessible for all employees.

• Hire lifelong learners. Recruiters and hiring managers could leverage assessments and behavioural interviews to gauge if candidates are a good fit or add to company culture. For example, such an assessment could help reveal if a prospective employee is driven, curious or has a learner mindset.

An authentic learning culture requires ongoing attention and effort from organisational leaders and managers. Employees want to feel like they’re part of something bigger than just their role, and career development and advancement opportunities can be part of that.

Conclusion

A motivated and engaged workplace is a powerful one. An approach to workplace learning that focuses on the culture can help ensure that employees continuously learn and develop. Not only can a learning culture motivate and develop current employees, but it can give organisations a necessary competitive edge in today’s job market by attracting workers who want to broaden their skill sets.

The right L&D opportunities and initiatives vary by organisation and industry; regardless, they are a critical investment in individual employees and the organisation as a whole.

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