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    Learning & Development Report 2024

    Best practices and insights from the global authority on workplace culture

    Learning & Development Report 2024

    Best practices and insights from the global authority on workplace culture

    Each year, we recognise organisations whose thriving workplace cultures are enabling both their people and their business to flourish. Opportunities for learning and development are a crucial element of this success, which is why we’re so thrilled to be recognising this year, for the very first time, the UK’s Best Workplaces for Development™.

    These workplaces offer employees the chance to better themselves, to learn new skills, and to progress within the organisation. They understand that employee development is not one-size fits all, and they actively support every single employee to undertake their own tailored journey of growth.

    Because of this, their people are fuelled by a sense of purpose, feel valued by their employer, and give of their best to the organisation. In turn, organisations themselves reap the many rewards of a thriving, engaged workforce.

    11604_1 Luciana Barchet


    Luciana Barchet
    Senior Consultant
    Great Place To Work UK


    Why does learning and development matter?

    85%

    of employees at the UK’s Best Workplaces for Development want to stay at their organisation "for a long time"

    (UK Average = 61%) 

    £6.6 billion

    The cost of the national skills shortage for UK businesses – in higher salaries, recruitment costs and temporary staffing.

    90%

    of employees at the UK’s Best Workplaces for Development say people at their organisation "give extra to get the job done"

    (UK Average = 67%)

    Here’s what UK HR Professionals  agreed are the key benefits of learning & development for their organisation:

    #1 Employee engagement and motivation

    #2 Retention

    #3 Filling skills gaps

    #4 Improved productivity

    #5 Enhanced innovation

    No. 1 UK's Best Workplaces for Development in 2024

    Sumillion Limited

    Talos


    Servicenow


    Softcat

    No. 1 Small

    No. 1 Medium

    No. 1 Large

    No. 1 Super Large
    See the full list

    What makes a 2024 UK’s Best Workplace for Development?

    To ascertain the 2024 UK’s Best Workplaces for Development, Great Place To Work first analysed over 230,000 employee survey responses to uncover the four key areas which have the most impact on a positive employee perception of development: these are the empowerment essentials, recognition essentials, management behaviour essentials, and development essentials.

    The UK’s Best Workplaces for Development are organisations which excel in each of these areas far beyond the average UK company. Data is based on confidential employee responses to the specific survey statements related to these essentials. 


    Empowerment Essentials

    Giving your people the autonomy to perform their role independently and to learn by doing, rather than micromanaging them, is an essential foundation that must be laid in order to allow them to develop further. When this foundation is in place, employees can fulfil their potential, growing in both skill and confidence and ensuring they are ready to move into their next role when the time comes.

    What makes your organisation a great place to work?

    “The autonomy we are given. We are trusted to get the job done, without being managed”

    - Employee at Hatmill, Rank 2 in the Medium size category

    Recognition Essentials

    Recognising employees' efforts is key to building a culture of growth. If workers don't feel their skills and work are valued, they might not see the value in developing or advancing in the organisation. For businesses, having structures in place to recognise good work helps identify where individuals are excelling, where they can do better, and who has strong potential for growth.

    Stat 3
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    Stat 1

    On average across the UK, less senior employees have a far more negative perception of recognition at their organisation. Employers who are looking to foster an inclusive culture of development and get the best from all their people, like the UK’s Best Workplaces for Development, need to ensure this gap is addressed and that everyone’s work is valued and recognised.

    Screenshot 2024-05-13 at 13.45.30

    83% of leaders at the UK’s Best Workplaces for Development said they were investing in leadership and management training, compared to 61% at other organisations.

    £1,260

    Average L&D spend per employee

    Here's how organisations are investing in learning and development:

    Mandatory, role-specific training

    79%

    Opportunities for role-specific training chosen by individuals

    79%

    Opportunities for non role-specific training chosen by individuals

    54%

    Mentorship programme

    37%

    Individual career plans/growth conversations (incl. internal mobility)

    77%

    Leadership/management training

    75%

    Growth shouldn't be exclusive

    Climbing the corporate ladder isn't for everyone. Although a structured, linear career path will work for some, for others it may be too prescriptive. The UK’s Best Workplaces for Development understand the importance of individualised growth journeys, each tailored to the employee's unique skills, ambitions, and career goals – ensuring that no employee is left behind.

    88% of surveyed UK’s Best Workplaces for Development provide individualised career plans

    So, how do the UK's Best Workplaces for Development do it?

    Get access to eight L&D best practices by awarded companies in the PDF copy of this report.

    Sources:

    The Open University 2020 Business Barometer
    Great Place To Work® UK 2024 Development Survey
    Great Place To Work® UK 2023 Population Study