Training Journal

Five ways to boost confidence and reduce stress at work Confidence and stress are not separate tracks at work. This article shows how situational awareness turns confidence into visible behaviours that lower pressure. Five practical moves clarify expectations, ask better questions, build feedback loops, set boundaries and use body language. Anne Maartje Oud links personal habits with culture for performance. https://lnkd.in/eDazu66t

Today Editor Jo Cook is at the Evidence Informed Practice Conference, created and hosted by Tom McDowall, focusing on all things instructional design. Follow this post for nuggets throughout the day. Tom asks us to look out for what confirms what we do, but also challenges us and that triggers us to think "I need to know more about that". Tom is also keen on us thinking about reflection, with posters and post it notes at the venue, as well as space in our magazine, with lots of key points shared. Tom highlights that if we don't change what we do, and striving to move forwards, there's no point in our day. TJ is right behind you Tom! #EIPC2026

Supported staff need supported leaders Daily stress is becoming normalised at work, and surface-level wellbeing initiatives are not shifting the needle. Touchdown PR share different experienced voices that argue for proactive support: equip frontline managers, reduce admin friction, redesign workloads and build psychological safety. It also explores where technology can genuinely help without replacing culture. https://lnkd.in/e4k8g7au

Do you know a 16-24 year old not in education or employment (a NEET)? It's hitting the UK news a lot due to the first part of Alan Milburn's report. TJ has a rousing article from Giles Smith of Mediazoo diving into this issue; highlighting the high number of applicants for roles, the imbalance of investment in a whole generation, and some thought provoking points to discuss. So let's do just that. In his article Giles asks: "𝘔𝘦𝘥𝘪𝘢𝘻𝘰𝘰 𝘎𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘱 𝘩𝘢𝘴 𝘢𝘭𝘸𝘢𝘺𝘴 𝘣𝘦𝘭𝘪𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘩𝘰𝘸 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘥𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘭𝘰𝘱 𝘱𝘦𝘰𝘱𝘭𝘦 𝘵𝘦𝘭𝘭𝘴 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢𝘣𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘣𝘦𝘭𝘪𝘦𝘷𝘦 𝘢𝘣𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘮. 𝘐’𝘥 𝘸𝘦𝘭𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯. 𝑾𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒂𝒓𝒆 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒔𝒆𝒆𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒊𝒏 𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒐𝒓𝒈𝒂𝒏𝒊𝒔𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏𝒔? 𝑾𝒉𝒆𝒓𝒆 𝒊𝒔 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒄𝒖𝒓𝒓𝒆𝒏𝒕 𝒎𝒐𝒅𝒆𝒍 𝒇𝒂𝒊𝒍𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒑𝒆𝒐𝒑𝒍𝒆 𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒕𝒉𝒓𝒐𝒖𝒈𝒉?" What do you think?

The generation we can’t afford to lose With youth unemployment at its highest since 2014 and junior roles drawing 100+ applicants, employers can’t afford to pass on. Giles Smith argues we’re debating costs while the education-to-work system fails a generation. The answer is redesigning organisations for an AI-shaped future, with creativity and junior talent at the centre. https://lnkd.in/e_pCSitG

The leaking talent pipeline: How AI is quietly undermining leadership succession AI is speeding up work while quietly eroding the early-career experiences that shape future leaders. As entry-level roles decline, judgement, emotional intelligence and organisational fluency have fewer places to form. Leena Rinne argues succession strength must be measured in capability, then rebuilt through deliberate practice, feedback and engineered development pathways. https://buff.ly/fjlfYT8

TJ Newsflash 27 May – AI hype meets reality as UK costs surge The latest L&D news, reports, research and updates, personally compiled by TJ’s Editor, Jo Cook. This week: From hidden workplace stress to L&D’s shifting purpose in AI-first organisations, plus a worrying dip in manager engagement. Also: sci-fi’s tech legacy podcast, a CS enrolment slowdown, brain plasticity, and over-50s unemployment issues. https://buff.ly/j5onxEf

Why people quit e-learning and what to do about it E-learning completion rates are a symptom, not a learner flaw. When courses feel like early-2000s slide decks, attention evaporates. This article argues better design wins: show value fast, respect time with bite-sized sessions, use narrative, cut friction and drive practical change. Charney Magri makes the case for modern workplaces now. https://buff.ly/Mo0Pypy

Training cuts are widening the AI skills gap for jobseekers and workers The AI boom is raising the bar for entry-level work while many employers cut their training offerings. Jonny Phillips makes the case for a national skills guarantee so people can build baseline AI capability and confidence. Practical, relevant support helps candidates apply sooner, interview better, and avoid being left behind. https://buff.ly/iTpDKLG

Beyond static pages: How PDFs boost engagement and efficiency PDFs are everywhere at work, but they can also power smarter digital learning. Victoria Ross explores how interactive PDFs support active practice, smoother delivery across devices, faster admin, secure sign-offs and better collaboration. With AI features emerging, PDFs may stay a low-cost, high-impact tool for L&D teams for years ahead. https://buff.ly/vauxKuK