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Practical shifts every learning leader should be thinking about next year.
As organisations look ahead to 2026, many L&D teams are reassessing their approach to designing and delivering learning. The questions being asked are shifting:
- What will learners need most next year?
- Which approaches will create the biggest impact?
- How should we evolve our learning strategy for 2026?
To support that reflection, here are five L&D trends for 2026 that can help create more meaningful, human-centred, and effective learning. Each one represents a simple shift in how we think and how we design for the modern learner.
1. Content shifts to campaigns
Why this matters
One learning moment rarely leads to meaningful change. People need time, repetition, and relevance.
Campaign-style learning offers a steady flow of small touchpoints that reinforce ideas over time.
Recent UK research from LinkedIn Learning shows that over half of talent development leaders are worried about growing skills gaps, strengthening the case for continuous learning rather than single-module solutions.
What to take into 2026
- Map out a journey instead of delivering a one-off module.
- Spread learning out through nudges, reminders, conversation prompts, and small activities.
- Mix formats. Reflections, short videos, scenarios, and discussions to keep engagement steady.
- Refresh one existing programme by adding a simple campaign framework around it.
Mindset shift: From delivering content to building continuity.
2. Courses become experiences
Why this matters
People learn best when they’re involved, not just informed.
Experiences create relevance and emotional connection, two essential ingredients for behaviour change.
Research shows 65% of L&D teams now rank engagement as their top priority (AIHR), and engagement grows when learning feels interactive and real.
What to take into 2026
- Introduce scenarios and problem-solving moments into existing courses.
- Add reflection questions to help learners anchor ideas.
- Build in peer conversation or knowledge sharing where you can.
- Shift from “explaining concepts” to “exploring situations.”
Mindset shift: From delivering information to creating involvement.
3. Completion shifts to impact
Why this matters
Completion rates show activity, not effectiveness.
Impact tells a much more meaningful story about learning:
What changed? What improved? What was applied?
The BuildEmpire Learning Statistics Report found that measuring impact is now a top priority for L&D leaders, tied closely to building a stronger learning culture.
What to take into 2026
- Start each project by agreeing clear outcomes with stakeholders.
- Measure behaviour change and confidence, not just quiz scores.
- Capture real use cases and stories — they resonate far more than dashboards alone.
- Review how your team currently reports on learning and identify one new impact metric to track.
Mindset shift: From “Did they complete it?” to “Did it make a difference?”
4. Instructor-Led learning becomes facilitated learning
Why this matters
Learners don’t just need information, they need space to think, question, discuss, and practise.
Facilitators help people make sense of topics in ways instructors can’t achieve through lecture alone.
Facilitation invites collaboration, connection, and shared experience, all crucial for deeper learning.
What to take into 2026
- Rebalance live sessions to focus more on discussion and less on delivery.
- Equip facilitators with structured prompts, scenarios, and reflection moments.
- Build small group activities into your workshops or virtual learning.
- Help facilitators create psychologically safe spaces where learners feel comfortable contributing.
Mindset shift: From “I teach” to “We explore this together.”
5. AI becomes human-led AI
Why this matters
AI is becoming a regular part of L&D workflows, but the key is using it thoughtfully, with humans leading the process.
A recent survey found 60% of L&D leaders feel optimistic about AI, though many say their organisations still need guidance on how to implement it responsibly (Hemsley Fraser Impact Survey).
Human-Led AI means keeping people in control of design, tone, ethics, and purpose, while AI supports with speed and efficiency.
What to take into 2026
- Use AI for drafting, ideation, and analysis, while people refine and decide.
- Set simple internal principles:
- AI speeds up. Humans shape meaning.
- AI suggests. Humans decide.
- Run one small AI pilot with your team and share learning openly.
- Combine AI with facilitator-driven sessions to keep learning human.
Mindset shift: From “AI replaces tasks” to “AI frees humans to do their best work.”
Key L&D takeaways for 2026
- Learning becomes continuous, not one-off
- Experiences matter more than content
- Impact becomes the measure that counts
- Facilitation creates connection and depth
- AI supports, but humans lead
Small mindset shifts like these can make a big difference in how learners engage and apply new skills.
FAQs: L&D Trends 2026
What are the biggest L&D trends for 2026?
Five key trends include: continuous learning campaigns, experience-led design, impact-focused measurement, facilitated learning, and Human-Led AI.
How is AI changing L&D?
AI is helping teams speed up content creation and analysis, but human judgment, storytelling, and facilitation still lead the process.
How can L&D teams improve engagement in 2026?
Shift from passive courses to interactive experiences, including scenarios, reflection, collaboration, and real-world practice.
What should L&D teams measure next year?
Move beyond completion rates and track meaningful outcomes such as confidence, behaviour change, and examples of real-world application.
How do I start shifting to learning campaigns?
Begin by breaking a topic into a sequence of touchpoints spread over time, with reminders, reflection activities, and small opportunities to apply learning.
How Omniplex Learning can support your 2026 strategy
If you’re planning your learning roadmap for 2026, we can help you bring these shifts to life through:
- Campaign-based learning design
- Immersive learning experience creation
- Impact-led design and measurement
- Facilitator development and support
- Human-Led AI guidance and implementation
Explore our full range of services here:
👉 https://omniplexlearning.com