Learning and Development (L&D)
Learning and Development, often shortened to L&D, is the heartbeat of every organization that wants to stay relevant, innovative, and human-centered. It’s about more than just training courses, it’s a strategic effort to help people grow in their roles and careers. A good L&D function identifies the skills and knowledge employees need, then designs programs that inspire real learning and behavioral change. In practice, this could mean leadership workshops, digital learning experiences, mentoring programs, or even bite-sized microlearning moments. The best L&D strategies are data-informed yet deeply human, balancing analytics with empathy. By investing in L&D, organizations build stronger teams, happier employees, and a culture that thrives on growth. In short, it’s how you turn potential into performance.
Want to learn more? Read our blog post about L&D.
Common L&D Questions
What is a learning and development strategy?
A learning and development strategy defines how an organization builds skills and capabilities to support its business goals. It outlines learning priorities, methods, and tools, and ensures that development initiatives are aligned with both workforce needs and long-term organizational objectives.
What is an example of a learning and development strategy?
An example of a learning and development strategy is combining structured onboarding, continuous learning paths, leadership development, and mentoring to support business growth. The strategy aligns learning initiatives with organizational goals and uses data to adapt and improve learning over time.
What is a learning and development framework?
A learning and development framework is a structured model that guides how learning is planned, delivered, and evaluated within an organization. It defines key components such as competencies, learning methods, roles, and measurement, helping ensure consistency and alignment across learning initiatives.
What is the difference between learning and training?
Training is typically structured and task-focused, designed to teach specific skills or processes. Learning is a broader concept that includes training but also informal, social, and experiential learning that happens over time and in everyday work situations.
What are examples of learning and development programs?
Examples of learning and development programs include onboarding programs, leadership training, compliance education, skills development initiatives, mentoring programs, and continuous learning paths that support employees throughout their careers.
What is the 70/20/10 rule for learning and development?
The 70/20/10 model suggests that 70% of learning comes from hands-on experience, 20% from social learning such as feedback and mentoring, and 10% from formal training like courses or workshops. It highlights that most development happens through everyday work rather than structured programs alone.
What is the difference between learning and development?
Learning focuses on acquiring specific knowledge or skills, often through training or education. Development is broader and long-term, supporting continuous growth, capability building, and career progression. Learning is often part of development, but development extends beyond individual learning activities.
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