Learning and Development

Learning and Development (L&D) is the systematic process by which organisations train employees, build skills and support career growth. Learning and Development aligns training activities to business needs and employee career paths to improve performance and retention.

What is Learning and Development

Learning and Development covers formal training, on-the-job learning, coaching, mentoring and digital learning. In HR practice it includes needs analysis, curriculum design, delivery, evaluation and reporting. L&D focuses on closing skill gaps and preparing staff for current and future roles.

How does it work

L&D operates through a cycle of assessment, design, delivery and measurement. HR teams use job frameworks and competency models to identify required skills. Programs can be instructor led, virtual, microlearning or blended. Success is measured by performance metrics, completion rates and business outcomes.

Practical usage

Where and why L&D is used in organisations:

• Recruitment and onboarding to speed up time to productivity
• Compliance training to meet legal and industry requirements
• Talent management and succession planning to build internal pipelines
• Performance improvement and upskilling for changing roles

Related HR concepts

Closely related terms include talent management, performance management, succession planning, competency frameworks and employee engagement. These concepts work together to develop and retain a capable workforce.