L&D Insights

The article argues that in a digital-first economy, investing in IT skills training courses is essential for individuals and organisations. It contrasts free learning resources with paid, proctored certifications and notes that certifications often lead to promotions, salary gains, and employer-valued productivity. For businesses, it shows strong ROI - through higher productivity and reduced risk - backed by case studies, and closes with an invitation to explore Future Savvy’s instructor-led Excel, Power BI, and SQL courses.

This fillable Training Needs Analysis (TNA) form helps teams identify and assess training requirements while capturing core request details (date, requester, team, employees). It walks you through defining the performance gap and its impact, aligning the need to business goals, comparing current vs. desired skills, and setting clear learning objectives with success criteria. You’ll also specify preferred delivery format/provider, timeline and priority, budget/resources, and define success metrics, evaluation, and approvals - so every request becomes a measurable, accountable plan.

The article explains what SQL training courses cover at basic and advanced levels, highlighting their shared focus on hands-on practice. It contrasts beginner courses that teach core querying and database concepts with advanced courses that tackle complex joins, window functions, CTEs, indexing, and performance. It outlines certifications, career paths, and why SQL remains a high-demand skill across roles like analysts, engineers, and developers. Finally, it offers criteria for choosing the right course and showcases instructor-led options from providers such as Future Savvy and others.

Traditional reading-and-writing literacy has broadened into digital literacy—the ability to locate, evaluate, create, and communicate information safely and effectively through technology. The article traces this evolution from basic “computer literacy” of the 1990s to today’s multifaceted concept that spans information, media, and AI literacy. Digital skills now underpin social inclusion, workforce readiness, and democratic participation, while gaps in access, competence, and support exacerbate inequality.

360-degree feedback gathers performance insights from an employee’s peers, direct reports, supervisors, and even external stakeholders to give a rounded view of strengths and improvement areas. Effective surveys mix open-ended questions that capture nuanced examples with closed-ended Likert or yes/no items that yield quantifiable data. The real value emerges when results feed into structured debriefs, action plans, and ongoing coaching, turning feedback into measurable professional growth.

Instructor-led virtual training (ILVT) delivers live, interactive learning online, combining real-time instruction with tools like chats, polls, and breakout rooms. Compared with on-site training, ILVT often reduces costs, increases flexibility and access, and can match or outperform in-person results when well designed—especially for knowledge and many technical skills. The article outlines benefits for organisations, essential tech stacks, steps to launch ILVT effectively, and how emerging AI and micro-credentials enhance outcomes.

A Capabilities-based Assessment (CBA) is a structured process that compares an organisation’s current skills, processes, and technologies with the capabilities it needs to achieve its strategy, highlighting critical gaps. The method involves mapping existing capabilities, rating their maturity against strategic targets, conducting gap analysis, and turning findings into an actionable road map. Widely applied in sectors from healthcare to education, CBAs enable data-driven decisions and targeted upskilling that translate directly into greater value.

A Learning Needs Analysis (LNA) systematically pinpoints gaps between current workforce performance and the skills required to meet organisational goals, ensuring training is targeted rather than guesswork. By linking learning to strategic metrics, LNA cuts wasted spend, boosts ROI, and raises engagement while preventing costly mis‑targeted programmes. The article outlines a step‑by‑step process—define business objectives, analyse learner profiles, gather data across organisational, group and individual levels, and prioritise needs—supported by best‑practice tips and technology tools.

А Business Continuity Plan (BCP) is a proactively crafted blueprint that keeps essential operations running when crises like natural disasters, cyber-attacks, or power outages strike. It protects revenue, customer trust, legal compliance, and long-term viability—critical since up to 60% of businesses without a plan never recover. Because continuity is an ongoing discipline, leadership buy-in, routine drills, and plan updates are vital for embedding a culture of resilience.