Personalised Learning Paths Best Suited To Address Skill Gaps

The current L&D practices in India’s IT sector reflect a widespread shift toward technology-led, employee-focused approaches. As the hybrid work model becomes more relevant, these practices play a pivotal role in building an adaptable, motivated and highly skilled workforce

In today's fast-paced business landscape, traditional one-size-fits-all training strategies are no longer sufficient. Organisations need to adapt to the evolving needs of their em-ployees and the ever-changing demands of the market.

While 66 per cent of organisations across India, Europe and the USA prefer to update their skills, it is clear that there is a high demand for skill development.

Personalised learning paths are not just a trend; they represent a fundamental shift in modern workforce development. They empower employees to acquire the right skills at the right time, ensuring relevance, engagement, and long-term knowledge retention. By tailoring the learning experience to individual needs, you can foster a culture of con-tinuous growth, equipping your employees to succeed in today's competitive landscape and prepare for the challenges of tomorrow.

As business goals continue to evolve, organisations are implementing ‘Learning & De-velopment’ practices with a strong emphasis on technology-led skills. Data science, cloud computing and Artificial Intelligence (AI) are currently coming to the forefront of business innovation, creating a burgeoning need to digitally back workforces. Subse-quently, organisations are also adopting more agile approaches, with quarterly or ad-hoc updates, to keep their training programs responsive to rapid technological changes.

With current L&D practices in India’s IT/ITeS sector, organizations meet immediate skill needs through varied delivery methods. edForce, one of the fastest-growing work-force upskilling platforms in India, recently conducted a report to unveil the use of ad-vanced learning technologies in transforming L&D approaches.

As per the edForce report, 64 per cent of smaller organizations rely on leaner L&D teams (1-5 employees in L&D). However, companies with larger employee counts tend to have a greater number of in-house trainers and more robust L&D resources.

Larger organisations, particularly those based in the USA and Europe, are more in-clined towards adopting AI-driven and VR-based learning solutions. According to the report, 46 per cent of such companies leverage these technologies to deliver highly per-sonalized and immersive training experiences. AI enables tailored learning paths by analyzing individual needs, while VR offers a more practical and hands-on approach that replicates real-world scenarios. However, the adoption of these advanced technologies faces challenges, especially in India, where budget constraints are widespread when it comes to implementation. While the potential of AI and VR to bridge skill gaps and enhance workforce readiness is undeniable, their cost remains a barrier for many smaller organizations. This creates a gap in the accessibility of digital learning tools, highlighting the need for more af-fordable solutions to democratize technology-driven L&D practices.

The shift towards personalisation demonstrates the need for implementing targeted impactful solutions. The edForce report states that 66 per cent of organisations prefer to adopt personalised learning paths in order to address skill gaps effectively. This ap-proach aligns training more closely with employee roles and career development, en-hancing motivation and skill retention.

Additionally, by addressing these gaps, organizations ensure that the employees feel valued, ultimately leading to higher productivity and organizational success.

Microlearning and gamification are gaining traction in the L&D landscape due to their ability to boost engagement and knowledge retention. Microlearning provides brief, focused training modules that cater to the attention spans and busy schedules of mod-ern employees. On the other hand, gamification incorporates elements such as leader-boards, badges, and rewards to make learning more interactive and enjoyable.

Ravi Kaklasaria, CEO and co-founder of edForce, emphasises the importance of innova-tion in L&D practices: "The future of L&D lies in embracing cutting-edge technologies like AI-driven personalized learning to create impactful and scalable training solutions. Organizations must go beyond traditional methods to cultivate a culture of continuous learning and upskilling. We are committed to empowering businesses with transforma-tive L&D solutions that align with their strategic objectives and enable their workforce to thrive in a competitive landscape."

The edForce Report highlights the need for integrating these methods in hybrid work models, improving training completion rates, and helping foster an adaptable work-force. These techniques have proven effective in maintaining employee engagement and ensuring training completion rates can be challenging.

The current L&D practices in India’s IT sector reflect a widespread shift toward tech-nology-led, employee-focused approaches. As the hybrid work model becomes more relevant, these practices play a pivotal role in building an adaptable, motivated, and highly skilled workforce. Hence, organizations that balance innovation with accessibil-ity ensure employees at all levels benefit from advanced L&D initiatives.

Personalized learning is a fundamental shift in workforce development. It offers tai-lored solutions to the challenges posed by our rapidly changing work environment.

It boosts engagement, skill development, and knowledge retention. Despite challenges, the rewards are significant. Personalized learning fosters a culture of continuous growth and prepares employees for the future.

Embrace it to navigate opportunities and uncertainties confidently. The journey con-tinues, and possibilities abound.