Factors such as COVID-19, digital disruption, changing demographics and expectations of new generation workforce have brought about a series of workforce challenges across sectors and industries. These not only impact on the attraction and retention of talents for organisations, but also on the types of skills and competencies needed in the workplace. Employers are looking for ways to develop essential skills that prepare employees for the future of work to ensure sustainability. These encompass soft skills and leadership capabilities on top of the technical skills needed to perform the job.
In order to provide timely and integrated learning solutions to employees, learning and development functions are looking at leveraging multi-platform, self-paced and technology-driven modes to enhance learning experience. In view of the increasing adoption of virtual workplace and learning platforms, collaborative learning community has also emerged as a common way to facilitate sharing of ideas and best practices.
Many large organisations have set up academies to drive this learning transformation and build the unique competencies as well as the desirable DNA. Using the MTR Academy as an example, it serves to build the much-needed resource pipeline and increase attraction to join the railway industry. It is a learning institute as well as a resourcing engine for MTR.
