Technology

New Data Shows U.S. Employers and Workers at Odds on Skills Development

Published

6 months ago

July 3, 2024

D2L Survey Also Reveals Opportunities to Help Build on Common Ground

TORONTO, July 3, 2024 /CNW/ – D2L, a global learning technology company, released new research today showing that while employers and employees equally recognize the critical need to offer and pursue skills development, continuous upskilling is not yet the norm for most employees.

New data collected by D2L and Morning Consult in early 2024 shows that employers and employees across the United States recognize the value of investing in learning and development for higher retention, productivity, and adaptation. However, employee uptake of learning and development offerings remains a challenge – and barriers like time, money and a lack of motivation can often impede their pursuit of new skills.

The results of the U.S. based survey of employers and employees show:

82% of learning and development leadership rank talent acquisition and retention as the most concerning human resources challenge facing their organizations today.83% of employees recognize that ongoing skills development is important to their overall job performance, signaling a strong interest in continuous upskilling opportunities.41% of employees would look to their current employer first for building job- or industry-specific skills, while only 17% would look to a community college and only 14% would seek out a university for the same training.The primary motivators for employees pursuing additional education or training are increased earning potential (64%) and career advancement opportunities (44%).

However:

Only half of employees (51%) have completed any formal education or training outside work in the past five years.Time constraints (42%) and a lack of motivation (35%) are the top-rated barriers for employees to pursuing additional training or education at their jobs.Although 42% of employees prefer online education or training to in-person-only offerings, only 29% of organizations report using education technology to deliver training.

“What this data shows us is that there is a clear opportunity to help make a positive change when it comes to upskilling that could dramatically shift the way employees learn and grow while strengthening organizations,” says John Baker, Founder and CEO of D2L. “At D2L, we’ve seen firsthand how integrating technology can help enhance training delivery and help management address skills gaps and foster a culture of continuous improvement. Learning and development is no longer a nice to have but a necessity to help ensure the workforce is equipped to meet the evolving demands of the modern workplace.”

D2L’s report Invest, Upskill, Excel explores the data in-depth and offers strategic recommendations for learning and development leaders to help bridge the skills gap within their organizations and build a more engaged, productive and innovative workforce. The report’s recommendations include:

Recognizing that your talent strategy is your business strategy. Continuous skills development is important not just for individual growth but also for organizational resilience and success. Learning and development opportunities should be not only relevant and engaging, but also directly aligned with business goals.Prioritizing strategic learning opportunities. Tailored, outcome-focused learning experiences can help ensure that employees receive training that is directly applicable to their job functions, enhancing their engagement and effectiveness, and ultimately creating a stronger, more resilient workplace.Leveraging metrics to track return on investment. Establishing a robust framework for tracking and analyzing the upskilling outcomes of training programs can significantly enhance their effectiveness and alignment with business goals.Integrating education technology to help enhance learning delivery and management. As organizations seek to meet the diverse needs of their workforce, leveraging technology can help enhance both the delivery and management of training initiatives.

Read the report Invest, Upskill, Excel in full here.

About D2L
D2L is transforming the way the world learn – helping learners of all ages achieve more than they dreamed possible. Working closely with clients all over the world, D2L is supporting millions of people learning online and in person. Our growing global workforce is dedicated to making the best learning products to leave the world better than they found it. Learn more about D2L for K-12, higher education and businesses at www.D2L.com.

The D2L family of companies includes D2L Inc., D2L Corporation, D2L Ltd, D2L Australia Pty Ltd, D2L Europe Ltd, D2L EU B.V., D2L Asia Pte Ltd,D2L Brasil Soluções de Tecnologia para Educação Ltda. and D2L Sistemas De Aprendizaje Innovadores, Sociedad De Responsabilidad Limitada De Capital Variable

All D2L marks are trademarks of D2L Corporation. Please visit D2L.com/trademarks for a list of D2L marks.

All D2L marks are trademarks of D2L Corporation. Please visit D2L.com/trademarks for a list of D2L marks. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

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SOURCE D2L

Technology

Strictly Money Launches Crowdcube Campaign, Inviting European Investors to Fuel its Growth Journey

Published

58 minutes ago

December 27, 2024

LONDON, Dec. 27, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Strictly Money Ltd, the London-based fintech, has launched a crowdfunding campaign on Crowdcube to invite European investors to fuel its next phase of growth. Crowdcube, Europe’s largest private market investment platform, has powered success stories like Revolut, Qonto, and Monzo. Regulated by the UK’s Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), Crowdcube provides a trusted and innovative platform for investors to participate in transformative ventures.

Strictly Money’s primary objective with this campaign is to accelerate its growth, fuel product development, and expand its shareholder base. The funding will enable Strictly Money to launch its payment card and banking app in early 2025 and to strengthen its market presence in Scandinavia, the UK, and Ireland. The company plans to introduce hedge fund returns products, broadening investment options for consumers by the end of 2025.

Discover how you can be part of Strictly Money’s growth journey by visiting our Crowdcube campaign at https://crowdcube.getstrictlymoney.com.

Will Povey, CEO and Co-Founder of Strictly Money, said: “At Strictly Money, our vision is to empower everyday investors with access to wealth-building tools and opportunities that were previously reserved for high-net-worth individuals. With this crowdfunding campaign, we aim to bring together a diverse community of investors who share our passion for financial innovation and inclusivity. This funding will not only help us launch our innovative debit card and app but also drive the development of new products that deliver real value to our users.”

About Strictly Money:

Strictly Money is a UK-based financial technology company set to launch a debit card and a cutting-edge banking app in early 2025. The company aims to democratize access to high-performing hedge fund returns, providing innovative investment strategies and financial solutions tailored to investors, savers, and entrepreneurs. Strictly Money’s mission is to open up premium investment opportunities traditionally limited to high-net-worth individuals (HNWIs). For more information, visit https://strictly-money.com.

For media inquiries contact:
Mary Prendergast
Email: ir@getstrictlymoney.com

Important Notice:

Investing in startups and early-stage businesses involves risks, including illiquidity, lack of dividends, loss of investment and dilution. It should be done only as part of a diversified portfolio. Crowdcube is targeted exclusively at investors who are sufficiently sophisticated to understand these risks and make their own investment decisions. Please read the full Risk Warning on Crowdcube’s website before deciding to invest.

Logo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2588210/Strictly_Money_Logo.jpg

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Technology

HackIndia 2025 Expands to Reach 25,000 Students Across 150 Universities, Breaking Barriers to Web3 and AI Opportunities

Published

58 minutes ago

December 27, 2024

NEW DELHI, Dec. 26, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — HackIndia, the nation’s largest Web3 and AI hackathon series, is set to make a groundbreaking return in 2025. Building on the extraordinary success of HackIndia 2024, which engaged 9,000 students across 50 universities, HackIndia 2025 will grow its reach to 25,000 students across 150 universities, further solidifying its position as a transformative platform for India’s budding tech talent.

Organized by CSharpCorner, HackIndia’s mission is clear: to connect Indian students and universities with emerging Web3 and AI technologies by providing education, resources, and opportunities while eliminating barriers to entry. The initiative is not just a hackathon—it is a movement to empower India’s youth by fostering innovation, skill development, and career growth.

Empowering Students Through Innovation
HackIndia 2025 introduces an exciting new feature that will fuel real-world innovation. For the first time, teams will gain access to accelerated grants and industry mentors to develop their Web3 and AI projects beyond the hackathon stage. This initiative will enable young developers to transform their ideas into tangible solutions, pushing the boundaries of Web3 innovation in India.

Furthermore, HackIndia 2025 is addressing a crucial need for students by providing career pathways. The ten events will feature opportunities for participants to network with leading employers, explore career options, and even interview for roles within the Web3 and AI sectors. This addition reflects HackIndia’s broader commitment to not only educating students but also helping them secure meaningful employment.

A Legacy of Impact
HackIndia was created as part of CSharpCorner’s dedication to helping Indian students learn, earn, and grow. As a global community of 3 million developers and tech enthusiasts, CSharpCorner has consistently championed opportunities for Indian students, helping them access cutting-edge technology and mentorship. By expanding HackIndia year after year, the initiative has become a launchpad for India’s next generation of innovators, empowering them to succeed in the global tech economy.

“HackIndia is not just a series of events. It’s a movement,” said Stephen Simon, Director CSharp HackIndia. “By scaling HackIndia to new heights in 2025, we’re investing in India’s greatest asset—its youth—and paving the way for a brighter, more innovative future powered by Web3 and AI.”

HackIndia 2025 promises to be more than just a hackathon—it will be a stepping-stone for students to unleash their potential, build meaningful solutions, and shape the global future of technology.

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SOURCE CSharp Inc

Technology

PEAK6 to Relocate Global Headquarters to Austin, Texas

Published

2 hours ago

December 27, 2024

CHICAGO, Dec. 27, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — PEAK6 Investments LLC (“PEAK6”) today announced that, effective January 1, 2025, it will move its global headquarters from its current location in Chicago, Illinois to the company’s existing office in Austin, Texas, which it established in 2021. PEAK6 affiliates PEAK6 Group LLC, PEAK6 Strategic Capital LLC, PEAK6 APX Holdings LLC and PEAK6 LLC will also relocate their global headquarters to Austin. PEAK6 will maintain its office in Chicago.

“Texas has been a cornerstone of PEAK6’s growth for over a decade,” said PEAK6 Co-Founder and Co-CEO, Matt Hulsizer, who continued, “With the majority of our talented workforce now based in Texas and Austin emerging as our largest office, moving our headquarters was an important decision to be closer to our team. We’re excited for the next chapter of PEAK6 that will be written from our new headquarters.”

Austin’s unique blend of creativity, technology and culture provides the ideal environment for PEAK6. The city’s highly educated workforce, business climate, and strong entrepreneurial spirit have enabled us to attract top talent and drive innovation.

About PEAK6

PEAK6 uses technology to find a better way of doing things. The company’s first tech-based solution was developed in 1997 to optimize options trading, and over the past two decades, the same formula has been used across a range of industries, asset classes, and business stages to consistently deliver superior results. Today, PEAK6 seeks transformational opportunities to provide capital and strategic support to entrepreneurs and forward-thinking businesses.

PEAK6’s core brands include PEAK6 Capital Management, PEAK6 Strategic Capital, Apex Fintech Solutions, We Insure, FOCUS, Zogo, Evil Geniuses and Poker Power.

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SOURCE PEAK6 Investments