Research from upskilling platform Degreed uncovers the 15 critical areas impacting the learning experience for workers in 2021. The number one concern of business leaders now is maintaining a company culture that engages and retains employees in the pandemic-affected world. Increasingly, employees want guidance on how and what to learn, especially as economic and political uncertainty are impacting the jobs market. A strong learning culture is key to improving the employee experience and driving business growth, due to its links to skill development, agility, responsiveness, and revenue. 

The findings are based on data from more than 2,400 respondents across 15 countries and divides respondents into those who rated their cultures as positive (promoters) and those who rated it as neutral or negative (detractors). The report explores the differences between these two groups. 

In particular, How the Workforce Learns 2021 has found:

• Companies with positive learning cultures, on average, perform more skillfully, have more agile teams, adapt more rapidly to change, and grow revenue faster than competitors.
• Four conditions are present for promoters and largely absent for detractors - guidance on how and what to learn, diverse development experiences, feedback, and opportunities to apply and stretch skills.
• Promoters are more motivated to learn in order to perform better in their current roles and prepare for future roles. Detractors are motivated to learn only to fulfil requirements.
• Employees in negative learning cultures are nearly 90% more likely to say they do not have any learning or career goals.
• In a positive learning culture, skills are rated more often and by more than just a HR team — workers receive feedback from peers, managers and external providers.
• Promotions matter, but they are not the only kind of mobility. To create a positive learning culture, L&D teams need to offer opportunities to work with other teams, take on temporary internal gigs, and more.

The findings provide an overview of learning and employee experience in the post-pandemic era. Now, more than ever, learning and HR leaders improve the employee experience and worker retention by implementing a positive learning culture. 

Learn more about How the Workforce Learns here.

About Degreed

Degreed is the workforce upskilling platform for one in three Fortune 50 companies. We connect all your learning, talent development, and internal mobility opportunities to intelligence on the skills your business needs next. And we do it all in one simple, fluid, skill-building experience that’s powered by your people’s expertise and interests. So you can transform your workforce from within. Founded in 2012, Degreed is headquartered in Pleasanton, California, with additional offices in Salt Lake City, New York, London, Amsterdam, and Brisbane.

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