New and Emerging Trends in 2021


The Changing L&D Landscape


The learning and development industry has undergone drastic changes over the past twelve months. Major technological advances, social and political matters, and the coronavirus pandemic are driving learners online faster than ever before.

And it’s safe to assume that most, if not all, of these changes are here to stay. Traditional methods of learning are quickly being replaced with more accessible approaches. Skills and knowledge once deemed critical are being replaced with new in-demand capabilities.

Put simply, the industry is adjusting not only how we learn, but what we learn.



What continued or emerging L&D trends can we expect to see throughout 2021?

To find out, we spoke with 18 learning and development experts who shared unique insights from their respective industries and job functions.

From the Book

“2021 will likely to be characterized by three main themes: continued COVID-19 L&D dynamics, change in the political administration, and adapting to create a competitive edge.”

— Michael Tadros, CEO, Lorman Education Services

“The shift to more virtual offerings has highlighted information technology and other technical skills gaps as remote workers are left to learn new technologies and troubleshoot issues on their own.”

— Michelle Eggleston Schwartz, Editorial Director, Training Industry, Inc.