Lack of line management buy-in is the major barrier to learning retention – a new survey finds

Lack of line management buy-in (cited by 40 per cent of respondents) is the key barrier to learning retention, according to a survey of hundreds of learning and development professionals conducted by the World of Learning 2008, the UK’s key conference and exhibition for business learning.

The survey also revealed that 37 per cent of respondents believe that the lack of follow-up further hinders the success of learning retention. A further 25 per cent felt that the lack of coaching/mentoring negatively affected the effectiveness of learning and development opportunities, followed by a further 24 per cent believing that lack of learner buy-in was a major issue.

Andrew Gee, Project Manager for the World of Learning, said: “Over and above the survey results, we have found that there is growing concern about the lack of on-going support and learning and development guidance. It is a constant battle for learning and development professionals to ensure that line managers place their staff’s ongoing development as a high priority on a day-to-day level. Learners can often therefore leave courses with insufficient skills to help them follow through on what they have learnt.

“Leading learning and development professionals will be tackling this issue in detail at the World of Learning Conference, providing delegates with practical solutions to resolve this critical business learning issue.”

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The survey results have been released ahead of the World of Learning Conference, sponsored by the Learning and Skills Council (LSC), which takes place on 19 & 20 November 2008 at the NEC, Birmingham. The conference will address key issues affecting learning and development professionals, with topics including, amongst others:

• ‘Embedding the line manager’s role within learning and development’ presented by Svetlana Omeltchenko, Global Marketing Development Manager at British American Tobacco


• ‘Developing a meaningful learning culture’ presented by Peter Hallard, Director of Learning & Development at ITV


• ‘Creating a thirst for learning within your organisation,’ presented by Cathie Wright, HR Business Partner for Volkswagen Group UK


• ‘Developing coaching and mentoring into an invaluable L&D resource’ presented by Ian Ballantyne, Head of Learning & Development at the Department for International Development