Employers must address the emerging skills gap between job applicants and current employees in today’s evolving workforce. The skills gap is the divide between the skills that companies require and the skills that individuals possess. It is often caused by inequality in the demands of the job market and the education system. Therefore, addressing the skills gap is crucial for economic competitiveness, talent retention and attraction, increased productivity, and socioeconomic impact.

Organisations can harness two departments to bridge the skills gap: Human Resources and Learning & Development. Though these two departments may seem utterly different, they can work together to innovate existing systems in the organisation. The result is the alignment of the Learning & Development department’s initiatives with the organisation’s strategic goals. 

How HR and Learning & Development can collaborate for innovation

To encourage collaboration between the Human Resources (HR) department and Learning and Development (L&D) to innovate company practices and address the skills gap, companies can employ the following strategies:

• Align goals and strategies: HR and L&D should work together to align their goals and strategies. This process involves understanding the organisation’s skills gaps and identifying the required competencies for future success. By collaborating on goal setting, both departments can develop initiatives that directly address the skills gap and support the overall organisational strategy.
• Conduct skills assessments: HR and L&D can collaborate on conducting skills assessments to identify the current skills and knowledge gaps within the workforce. This assessment can involve surveys, interviews, performance evaluations, and analysis of job requirements. By working together, HR and L&D can gain valuable insights into the skills needed and the existing skill levels of employees, informing the design of targeted learning and development programs.
• Develop personalised learning plans: HR and L&D can collaborate to create personalised learning plans for employees. Based on the skills assessments, HR can provide L&D with information about individual employee needs, career goals, and development opportunities. L&D can then design customised training programs, workshops, mentoring, and other learning initiatives to effectively bridge the identified skills gaps.
• Leverage technology and innovative learning methods: HR and L&D should explore and adopt innovative learning technologies and methods. This process could include online learning platforms, virtual reality simulations, mobile learning apps, and gamified learning experiences. By embracing technology, HR and L&D can provide more accessible, engaging, and flexible learning opportunities, allowing employees to acquire new skills efficiently.
• Encourage continuous learning and upskilling: HR and L&D can collaborate to create a culture of continuous learning and upskilling within the organisation. Companies can promote learning opportunities, provide incentives for employees to engage in training and development programs, and integrate learning into performance management processes. By emphasising the importance of ongoing learning, HR and L&D can motivate employees to take ownership of their skill development and stay relevant in a rapidly changing work environment.
• Measure and evaluate learning outcomes: HR and L&D should collaborate on measuring and evaluating the effectiveness of learning initiatives. By collecting data on training outcomes, such as improved performance, increased productivity, and enhanced job satisfaction, HR and L&D can assess the impact of their efforts. This evaluation process enables them to refine their strategies and make data-driven decisions to address the skills gap more effectively.
• Establish a learning environment: HR and L&D should work together to build a supportive learning culture. This process involves promoting knowledge sharing, creating communities of practice, and encouraging managers to support and recognise employee learning and development efforts. By raising a culture that values continuous learning, HR and L&D can create an environment where employees are motivated to acquire new skills and contribute to addressing the skills gap.

The collaboration between HR and L&D is essential for attracting, developing, and retaining talent, aligning learning and development initiatives with business objectives, enhancing performance, promoting employee engagement, and driving continuous improvement. By working together, HR and L&D can create a cohesive and practical approach to talent management and development, ultimately contributing to the company’s long-term success.