Learning and development professionals are in the hot seat to help employees develop both AI and durable human skills, according to LinkedIn’s 2024 Most In-Demand Skills Report. And today, more than half of LinkedIn members hold jobs that stand to be disrupted or augmented by AI — which means a great deal of upskilling and reskilling at work will be required to keep pace.
But what about the people tasked with leading this change — the talent development pros who are asked to be more adaptable, more analytical, and more business-aligned than ever before while AI changes the world of work around them.
If you’re an L&D pro in the business of training, coaching, inspiring, and leading employees, people-to-people skills have never been more important. Read on for the full list of skills to sharpen in this new era of work and reap dividends for both yourself and your organization. And access 10 LinkedIn Learning courses — unlocked through May 31, 2024 — to build these skills.
The 10 most in-demand skills for L&D pros
1. Training
Unsurprisingly, this core skill for learning and talent development pros tops our 2024 list. Running effective training and development programs is an evergreen skill for L&D pros. It’s a skill that you can continue to sharpen by developing learning pathways, identifying skill gaps, and helping employees build the skills that will drive real change in your organization.
Reskill/upskill: How to Design and Deliver Training Programs, with Jeff Toister
2. Communication
Designing and delivering upskilling programs starts with effective communication, which was also the No. 1 global most in-demand skill this year. The more clearly you communicate, the more likely you are to inspire employees to make time to learn, acquire new skills, and apply their learnings — and to show the C-suite the value of your initiatives.
Reskill/upskill: Communication Skills for Modern Management, with Jean Marie DiGiovanna
3. Leadership
Learning leaders — and leaders of all kinds — can identify untapped potential in others and help them grow.
Reskill/upskill: Top 10 Rules for Highly Effective Leadership, with Todd Dewett
4. Management
Like training, management is a foundational skill for L&D professionals. Good management translates to seamless training program execution and clear communication with stakeholders. As an L&D pro, managing your programs is an indispensable skill to drive both organizational success and your career.
Reskill/upskill: Setting and Managing Realistic Expectations for Your L&D Program, with Karl Kapp
5. Project Management
Project management skills aid in efficient planning, execution, and monitoring of training programs. Effective project management helps L&D pros ensure their initiatives stay on track, meet deadlines, and deliver results that align with organizational objectives.
Reskill/upskill: Project Management Skills for Leaders, with Dana Brownlee
6. Coaching
Coaching skills empower L&D pros to support individual employees and their growth and development. They help L&D pros unlock the full potential of individuals and teams, driving performance, engagement, and overall success within the organization.
Reskill/upskill: Coaching and Developing Employees, with Lisa Gates
7. Customer Service
So many of the skills that make L&D practitioners shine are core business skills — and customer service is no exception. Customer service skills allow L&D pros to better understand learner needs, address concerns, and deliver curated learning experiences. This skill set helps L&D professionals build strong relationships with learners and foster a positive learning environment.
Reskill/upskill: Customer Service Foundations, with Jeff Toister
8. Human Resources (HR)
Like training, human resources skills are essential for any L&D pro. In particular, staying updated on emerging HR technologies and trends is essential for streamlining processes and maximizing organizational efficiency. A new skill is ascending for L&D pros: the ability to use generative AI to make L&D programs more impactful, efficient, and scalable.
Reskill/upskill: Generative AI in Learning & Development, with Dr. Terri Horton
9. Recruiting
L&D pros, put your talent acquisition hats on — and start recruiting to your upskilling initiatives from within the ranks of your organization. Generative AI can help you apply mainstays of recruiting to talent already within your org charts. As LinkedIn instructor Glen Cathey says in his course, Generative AI, Recruiting, and Talent Acquisition: “As employees engage in their development plan, gen AI can deliver feedback on progress, analyze skills and achievements, and suggest adjustments if necessary to keep them on track with regard to their career goals.”
Reskill/upskill: Generative AI, Recruiting, and Talent Acquisition, with Glen Cathey
10. Analytics
The final skill on our list highlights an important skill: using analytics for tasks such as determining the ROI of L&D programs. Metrics like business outcomes, productivity, retention, and cost savings are critical to helping your L&D program thrive.
Reskill/upskill: Applying Analytics to Your Learning Program, with Tim Dickinson
Methodology
The demand of a skill is measured by the share of a skill possessed by members who have been hired recently, skill possessed by members who have received recruiter InMails recently, and skill listed in paid job listings posted in a recent six-month period (May 1 to October 31, 2023). Skills for languages and digital literacy were excluded.
