Transforming Learning and Development Practices to Prepare the Workforce for the Future of Work: A Qualitative Study from Bangladesh

Transforming Learning and Development Practices

Abstract

This study explores how organizations are transforming their Learning and Development (L&D) practices to strategically prepare for the future of work. A qualitative research methodology was adopted in the form of in-depth interviews with forty-nine HR professionals from various industries to understand the changing L&D strategies. The findings show a move towards aligning L&D with wider business goals, a focus on digital skills, leadership development, and self-directed learning via e-learning platforms. Findings also reveal a shift toward integrating L&D with overall business objectives, emphasizing digital skills and leadership development. Organizations are fostering a culture that recognizes and supports continuous employee learning while increasingly linking learning outcomes with talent management and performance appraisal. Despite progress, challenges persist in the ability to quantify L&D’s impact on business outcomes. The study demonstrates the importance of developing L&D cultures that are fit for the future in order to develop agile, future-ready workforces in the face of ongoing technological and marketplace upheaval.