Chris Makell

Studies show that 78 percent of learning is informal, which means the majority will be happening outside formalized training efforts.
Rethinking Workplace Training – Management-Issues (06/12/09) Bobinsky, Dan

Identifying areas of improvement becomes especially critical in a recession, when training resources must be used to bridge performance gaps that keep a company from meeting its goals and objectives.
Identifying Employee Skill Gaps – McKinsey Quarterly (05/09) Gurdjian, Pierre; Triebel, Oliver

According to EduVentures Inc., a research firm, 11 percent of 18.5 million college students took most classes online in the fall of 2008. EduVentures also predicts that online education will generate revenue of $11.5 billion in 2009.
The Jack Welch MBA Coming to Web – Wall Street Journal (06/22/09) Glader, Paul

According to a survey conducted by language learning software provider TELL ME MORE, 71 percent of U.S. workers learn another language to increase job marketability, and 94 percent of respondents believe learning another language makes someone more marketable and can positively impact earning potential.
The Inside Training Newsletter – June 24, 2009

84 percent of children’s hospital employees often leave work with a good feeling of accomplishment, compared to a national health-care norm of 74 percent. Additionally, 86 percent of children’s hospital employees find their work personally rewarding, while the national health-care norm consists of only 80 percent.
The Inside Training Newsletter – June 24, 2009

In a survey conducted by Rockport Institute, a career and coaching organization, only approximately 30 percent of respondents said they liked or loved their work. This is backed up by a Gallup Organization survey of more than 1.7 million employees, only 20 percent of whom reported they used their strengths every day at work.
The Inside Training Newsletter – June 17, 2009

Adecco Group’s latest Workplace Insights Survey indicates most employers will see an unprecedented exodus of talent when the job market rebounds:

• More than half (54 percent) of employed Americans report they are likely to look for new jobs once the economy turns around.
• Some 71 percent of those between 18 and 29 are likely to look for new jobs once the upturn begins.
• More than half (55 percent) of employees who are willing to accept a pay cut to keep their job will accept a 10 percent salary decrease or more. But Adecco cautions that a pay cut can harm an individual employee’s financial situation, thus hastening a job search

The Inside Training Newsletter – July 1, 2009

Talent Drive released results from its recent “What Steps Are You Taking to Leverage this Recession?” April through June 2009 survey. Fifty percent of human resources professionals surveyed are actively preparing for the return of hiring and “the other side” of the recession. When asked what positions HR will be struggling the hardest to fill, 60 percent said IT talent is anticipated to be the most in-demand, followed by sales and operations, both at 30 percent.

The Inside Training Newsletter July 8, 2009

“I found that professionals and managers … reported that age didn’t matter in terms of their being offered opportunities for learning and development – they seem to be offered them continuously throughout their careers. Complex work has the added advantage of enabling workers to learn and develop just through doing their job. In addition, complex work often requires continuous learning and development to remain up-to-date.” Tones concludes her research suggests that organizations should recognize age diversity as an opportunity for business and offer training to all workers.

Old Workers Continue to Learn Science Alert (Australia) (06/30/09)

Talent shortages are already occurring, despite the economic recession. There are approximately 3 million unfulfilled jobs in the United States, many of which require specific training. Because more jobs require special skills, it is more difficult for laid off individuals to move from one organization to another. As the economy recovers, the shortages will become more obvious. About 75 percent of jobs require some post-high school education, but education patterns have not kept up with that trend.

Reconciling Short- and Long-Term Workforce Trends Harvard Business Review (06/09) Erickson, Tammy Part I

In addition to talent shortages, there is the growing trend that birth rates are falling. Businesses are used to a steady stream of young employees, but this will no longer be the case. Both these trends mean that the supply/demand balance will shift toward the person looking for work, especially if that person is skilled, educated, and experienced. Work arrangements will become more varied as well. Companies will need to offer new ways of working because younger generations are more interested in self-reliance and immediate challenge, so their bond to their organizations is looser.

Reconciling Short- and Long-Term Workforce Trends – Harvard Business Review (06/09) Erickson, Tammy Part II

For some people, the millennial or Generation Y workforce is characterized by moodiness and disengagement, but these workers could be spurred to achieve more if leaders gain a better understanding of their underlying interests and motivations. Millennial employees are technologically savvy, having come of age at a time when most homes had high-speed Internet connectivity, video games and online social networking was very popular activities, and cell phones were affordable for adolescents with part-time employment.

Managing Generation Y: Why the Challenge Is Worth It – Association News (06/09) Vol. 33, No. 6, P. 38; Pearson, Daniel

How Many Did You Lay Off Last Month?
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the number of unemployed persons (14.7 million) and the unemployment rate (9.5 percent) didn’t change much in June. Last month, unemployment rates for the major worker groups—adult men (10 percent); adult women (7.6 percent); teenagers (24 percent); whites (8.7 percent); blacks (14.7 percent); and Hispanics (12.2 percent)—showed little change.

The Inside Training Newsletter – July 15, 2009

A career map can provide guidance to professionals looking to find a rewarding, successful career. Creating and constantly revisiting a career map can help both recent graduates and seasoned professionals navigate the many hurdles that workers experience throughout their lives, particularly during difficult economic times. A career map should address three questions: “Where have I been?” and “Where am I now?” and “Where am I going?” Finding the answers to these questions requires an honest inventory of your skills, which establishes the foundation for the entire map.

Chart Your Own Path: Unlock the Potential of a Career Map Forum (06/09) Vol. 93, No. 6, P. 32; Harrigan, Nurys

The “Employee Engagement Survey” assessed communications between businesses and their employees. The survey found that 21 percent of businesses use Twitter, while 18 percent use Facebook and more firms reporting their intended use in the future. Yet 46 percent of respondents say that they are not assessing the efficacy of social media. Over half of the firms responded that their communication staff was reduced due to the economy. Seventy-nine percent said that social media was used more frequently than email to provide more engaging communications with employees, with blogs being the top social communications platform.

Social Media an Increasingly Important Employee Engagement Tool SmartPros Accounting (06/09/09)

Most workers are planning to change their career, partly to earn more money or learn new skills, according to a new report.

The research was launched to mark a campaign by the Learning and Skills Council (LSC) to offer advice on training and jobs in a number of towns across England this summer.

Workers plan career change – report, The Press Association (080309)