Leveraging Learning for Leadership: How Upskilling Can Transform Mid-Career Professionals into Industry Leaders

Current Workplace Trends

Technological advancements, including digital tools and artificial intelligence, have increased automation, enhanced communication, and created faster workflows. They’ve also contributed to more widespread adoption of remote and hybrid work environments. All these developments have created more dynamic and complex workplaces, putting learning professionals with superior leadership and communication skills in high demand.

The Importance of Upskilling

Organizations are increasingly emphasizing internal training and development programs and seeking qualified professionals to lead them. This is largely because both employees and organizations benefit from opportunities to upskill and train.

Learning is an ongoing journey, and people who pursue educational and development opportunities are more likely to progress and have longevity in their careers. Businesses that promote continuous learning also achieve better employee retention and organizational success.

According to a survey by BetterBuys, employees with access to professional development are 34% more likely to stay at their jobs. A study by LinkedIn found an even higher increase in retention rates and also discovered that internal mobility was 23% higher in organizations with a strong learning culture.

Career Transformation Through Education

Strategic learning initiatives are beneficial to employees at all stages of their careers. Both entry-level and mid-career professional development can help team members move upward. For instance, participating on a learning and development program could give a junior-level employee the leadership and communication skills they need to advance into a management position.

To ensure ongoing success for their companies and make these kinds of upward mobility possible, today’s learning professionals need a broader understanding of adult education and performance improvement strategies. This will help their organizations to recruit top talent in the industry and better support existing employees who want to expand their skill sets.

Introducing Schulich ExecEd’s Workplace Performance and Learning Program

Schulich ExecEd’s Masters Certificate in Workplace Performance and Learning helps current and future learning professionals develop the skills they need to excel in strategic learning design, performance consulting, and talent development. The program includes four modules:

• Assessing Performance & Needs Evaluation
• Designing Learning Experiences
• Facilitating Learning
• Partnering with Clients

By completing these modules, you’ll learn how to identify performance gaps, implement instructional design principles, and modify materials to different educational formats. The curriculum is designed to address contemporary challenges in workplace learning and performance, including managing conflict and improving student engagement in virtual and in-person environments.

Preparing for the Future of Learning and Leadership

Moving forward, organizations will need support from learning professionals who have studied adult learning principles and know how to develop effective leadership training programs. Enhancing your skills through the Masters Certificate in Workplace Performance and Learning from Schulich ExecEd could position you as a top candidate for an upcoming role as an instructional designer, learning facilitator, or learning and development manager. Speak to an advisor or visit the program page to learn more about how to enroll in an executive education program.