UK businesses are facing challenges around increased business costs, juggling digital transformation, and managing the growing influence of AI. For many, retaining talent is a key factor in how their organisation will be able to successfully navigate the complexity ahead. And when it comes to staff retention, it’s no longer the small token perks such as ping pong tables or Friday drinks that ensure people not only stay but also thrive and perform.
According to the LinkedIn Workplace Learning Report 2024, the most powerful strategy to retain your best people can be summarised simply as invest in their learning. This global report has cited that providing learning opportunities is now the number one retention strategy for organisations and that it is not just a nice-to-have but a strategic imperative.
Here we unpack the findings. Explore how you can use learning and development as a retention strategy as well as upskilling your leaders, managers and teams, and also what you can do now to embed learning and retention into your organisation.
Learning drives retention and performance
The report pulls together findings from a cross section of industries, showing that companies who prioritise workplace learning report:
- Higher retention rates, thanks to stronger learning cultures.
- Healthier management pipelines, as future leaders develop from within.
- Improved internal mobility, giving employees pathways to grow.
- More innovation, productivity and purpose-led performance.
- Reduced skills gaps, keeping organisations competitive in the AI era.
A particular challenge that is currently unfolding rapidly for businesses is how, why and when to harness AI. The report highlights:
“Learning is critical in the age of AI, and L&D is well-positioned to lead important conversations about business impact.”
Faced by demand for increased performance and AI automation, it’s important for organisations to plan more proactively. Leadership, management and soft skills are going to be increasingly critical as businesses evolve amidst AI. Investing in learning that helps your business grow, and helps your people thrive – and stay.
Why this matters
Research shows that nearly 90% of organisations are concerned about employee retention. We have worked closely with HR and L&D leaders across the UK for the past 15 years and we know that creating a culture of learning isn’t just about ticking a training box. It’s about aligning learning and development to each organisation’s business goals and challenges.
“Companies with strong learning cultures see higher rates of retention compared to those with smaller levels of commitment.”
When companies empower people to grow, they see that growth in the business through loyalty, higher performance, and stronger leadership capability.
Are your leaders and managers ready?
As organisations respond to AI and digital transformation and manage change, leaders and managers are increasingly under the spotlight, facing new challenges. Research shows that many leaders and managers have found themselves in a role that they have had no preparation or training for. For many it’s a minefield – 82% of bosses are deemed accidental, having had no formal training.” – something we unpack in more detail here in The case of the Accidental Managers
Managers want to become better leaders, to handle conflict more confidently, and feel equipped for change. Organisations investing in their development are not only seeing the impact of increased skills and career satisfaction, they are also building in a culture of performance that ripples out to the whole organisation. It has a positive impact on retention across the board.
Embedding this into your retention strategy
There are five core themes that have been highlighted as part of a valuable Retention Strategy for organisations:
- Build a strong leadership pipeline
- Support internal mobility and career growth
- Tackle communication and conflict skills
- Bridge the AI vs. soft skills gap
- Foster personal growth to increase engagement
Whether your organisation is facing challenges around one or all five of these areas, planning for, and embedding your retention strategy will be a valuable part
What you can do now
1. Build a strong leadership pipeline
Whether you have new managers or established leaders, ensure your managers and leadership teams are in the best possible position to lead, drive performance and support growth. These courses support new and experienced managers alike in leading with clarity, confidence and impact – essential for long-term retention and growth.
Courses to explore:
- New Manager Bootcamp
- Seriously Excellent Management: The Ultimate 3 day Programme
- Step up to Leadership
- Director Refresh and Reboot
2. Support internal mobility and career growth
Give your people the tools to grow laterally or upwards and they’ll be more likely to stay and succeed within your organisation. Training and development that helps your people thrive individually and also for people develop and support others:
Courses to explore:
3. Tackle communication and conflict before it becomes attrition
Because people don’t leave jobs, they leave people, poor communication and unresolved conflict. Ensure your managers and leaders are prepared to handle the hard stuff, effectively.
Courses to explore:
4. Bridge the AI and Soft Skills gap
Managing change, strategic thinking, adaptability, and decision-making are critical skills in the AI age. Prepare your teams for transformation and bolster the soft skills that your people and your business need in order to thrive amidst automation.
Courses to explore:
5. Foster purpose and engagement through personal growth
Supporting your people’s growth, not just professionally but personally, increases performance but also drives purpose. It deepens people’s connection to work and strengthens culture.
Courses to explore:
Learning is your competitive edge – and your retention strategy
If you want your best people to stay, grow and thrive – show them they matter by investing in their development.
“If a company invests in learning today, they will have more engaged and impactful employees ready to tackle tomorrow’s challenges.”
At The Hub Events, we’ve spent years helping organisations do exactly that. Our practical, expert-led courses are designed to make a real difference in the workplace. Our trainers continuously develop the programmes and materials to keep training at the forefront of the opportunities and challenges facing businesses and their people right now – bringing real world experience, not just theory.
Whether you’re building a stronger management pipeline, aligning L&D to your business goals, or simply want to retain and inspire your people, get in touch and speak to one of our team to explore our full range of leadership and professional development courses.
Let’s help your people – and your business – learn, inspire and thrive.
