Five ways to nurture learning in workplace communities

Learning professionals possess a unique superpower: we understand how people learn. We know that reflection cements understanding, repetition builds retention, contextual learning increases relevance, and social interaction accelerates development. Yet too often, these powerful principles remain locked within formal learning programmes instead of being applied where learning naturally happens – in workplace communities.

The CIPD’s Learning at Work 2023 report reveals a compelling opportunity: only 17% of individuals engage in socialised communities to support learning, and a mere 18% know how to learn effectively from connections with others. When we bring our understanding of learning science into these existing spaces, we don’t just improve individual development – we nurture a culture where continuous learning becomes part of how work gets done.

For learning professionals feeling the pressure of increasing workloads (53% report increased workload despite resource gains), nurturing existing communities offers a more sustainable approach than creating new platforms or pushing more content. By applying evidence-based learning principles where people already gather and collaborate, we can create ripple effects that transform organisational culture from within.

Find out five inspiring ways to nurture learning in workplace communities Laura Overton shares over on TrainingZone…