Learning Performance Institute Awards 2019

15 Feb 2019 12:30 PM

Blog posted by: Emer O'Sullivan, 15 February 2019.

On Thursday 7 February, I attended the 2019 Learning Awards, run by Learning Performance Institute. AXELOS sponsored the People Development Programme of the Year Award (Private sector) which was presented to Honda Motor.

The evening was a fantastic opportunity for all those in the Learning & Development (L&D) sector to come together and celebrate our many successes. As an industry, L&D should not be overlooked. Learning has an enormous ability, or rather responsibility, to drive individuals and organizations forward through the continual development of skills and knowledge.

We live in turbulent times, where AI, big data analytics, and digital transformation are changing the way we work. This change should be welcomed and embraced. Increased technology allows us to spend less time on admin tasks and more time on strategy, planning and creativity. But this also requires a shift in the way we think and deliver.

L&D, now more than ever before, plays a vital role in equipping people with the new skills they need for the digital age. This doesn’t just mean the technical aspect, far from it! We need to remind ourselves what makes us human. Soft skills such as a leadership, communication, and collaboration are essential in keeping individuals, and the organizations they work for, competitive in a disruptive age.

If there was one thing that was apparent from the awards, it was the importance placed on L&D across a multitude of successful organizations. It’s often said if you are not learning, you are not growing. It was incredibly promising to see representation from a complete spread of organizations: from large corporates, to non-profit organizations, to government bodies, all recognizing the value of L&D.

Whether it’s through people development programmes, apprenticeship schemes, or driving forward innovation projects or new technologies, the well-deserved nominees were all dedicated to the learning, and growth, of their people. This makes these ever-changing times a truly exciting place to be, as L&D opportunities become ever-increasing.

For L&D professionals, you should be proud that our industry is demonstrating the undeniable importance of learning, in a disruptive, fast-paced world!