Learning Uncut

Michelle Parry-Slater, a learning and development expert and author of The Learning and Development Handbook, shares insight into maximizing L&D budgets amidst constraints. She emphasizes aligning spending with business needs and highlights innovative strategies like leveraging inter-departmental resources and internal podcasts. The discussion covers effective content curation, the impact of MOOCs, and the rising role of podcasts in fostering employee engagement. Practical tips and collaborative approaches make this conversation a treasure trove for L&D professionals.

Keith Heggart, a senior lecturer and director at the University of Technology Sydney, dives into the creation of the Graduate Certificate in Learning Design. He shares insights from consulting with industry experts and crafting learner personas, aiming to modernize educational frameworks. Key discussions include the rising demand for learning design skills, the importance of effective communication, and the need to bridge the gap between corporate and academic approaches. Heggart also highlights the challenges and successes of feedback practices in online learning environments.

Catherine Lombardozzi, a researcher and consultant in leadership development, discusses her groundbreaking research with the Learning Guild. She reveals how leadership strategies are evolving in the post-pandemic world. Key insights include the rise of experiential learning, the need for blended approaches, and a focus on relational learning to strengthen networks. The conversation also touches on the potential roles of coaching and AI in leadership development, advocating for tailored programs that meet specific organizational needs.

Australia has a critical structural engineering skills shortage, yet many qualified graduates and migrant engineers struggle to find jobs. In this episode, Michelle Ockers talks to Moly Ashtari and Alex Jovanovski, co-founders of Learnpedia. Moly shares her personal challenges as a migrant engineer seeking local experience. Alex highlights difficulties small businesses face hiring skilled engineers. They discuss creating Learnpedia to provide project-based traineeships combining real-world projects, on-site training, and mentorship. Discover how their practical learning approach equips engineers with essential workplace experience and why industry collaboration is vital for solving Australia's engineering skills shortage. Host: Michelle Ockers Transcript and related resources: https://learninguncut.global/podcast/166/ Podcast information and more episodes: https://learninguncut.global/podcast/

Australia's tech sector faces a critical skills gap. Women – who make up just 30% of the tech workforce – represent the largest untapped talent pool to close this gap. Michelle Ockers speaks with Kade Brown from RMIT Online and Rhiannon Yetsenga from Deloitte Access Economics about their latest research report into skills and talent diversity in Australia's tech workforce. They explore the key findings of the report, including the scale of the skills gap, why women are the biggest untapped opportunity to close this gap, and the business case for investing in re-skilling. The conversation also highlights practical actions organisations can take to attract, retain, and develop more women in tech roles. Hosted by Michelle Ockers Transcript and related resources: https://learninguncut.global/podcast/elevate-42/ Podcast information and more episodes: https://learninguncut.global/podcast/

Join Terra Wallace, Head of Education at U.S. Bank, and Mark Saddic, leader of Leadership and Organizational Effectiveness at CCI Consulting, as they redefine leadership development. They discuss the shift from one-size-fits-all programs to personalized experiences that foster individual growth. The conversation highlights the importance of open communication, managerial support, and how effective coaching can drive engagement. They also explore measuring success through tailored feedback and the need for a human-centered approach in developing inclusive talent initiatives.

The 2025 Global Sentiment Report has been released, capturing the pulse of L&D professionals worldwide. In this episode, Michelle Ockers speaks with Donald H Taylor about the key findings and what they reveal about what L&D is paying attention to in 2025. AI continues to dominate conversations, but there's also continued interest in skills and data, with the creating value on the rise again. Don shares insights on why these trends matter, how they vary across different regions, and what L&D professionals can take away from the results. Hosted by Michelle Ockers Transcript and related resources: https://learninguncut.global/podcast/elevate-41/ Podcast information and more episodes: https://learninguncut.global/podcast/

Ryan Byrne, Senior Manager of Capability and Learning at Sydney Trains joins host Michelle Ockers to discusses the "First Impressions Count" performance campaign. This campaign focused on enhancing customer service through station cleanliness, uniform standards and empowering and engaging staff. Ryan shares insights on using employee feedback to identify barriers and build respectful, actionable solutions. He also highlights how Sydney Trains engaged staff via competitions, incentives, and real-time customer feedback, fostering a culture of continuous improvement across the frontline. Host: Michelle Ockers Transcript and related resources: https://learninguncut.global/podcast/164/ Podcast information and more episodes: https://learninguncut.global/podcast/

In this episode of Learning Uncut, Michelle Ockers and co-host Laura Overton are joined by Lisa Christensen, Director of Learning at McKinsey, to explore the organisation's innovative approach to enhancing feedback skills. Lisa introduces the Receive to Grow program, a targeted initiative designed to help employees build the skill of receiving feedback effectively - a critical competency in McKinsey's fast-paced and high-performance culture. Lisa delves into McKinsey's broader feedback surge strategy, discussing how cross-functional collaboration, data-driven insights, and behavioural science have shaped this impactful initiative. Discover how simple, actionable learning techniques and a holistic talent strategy are transforming feedback practices at scale. Host: Michelle Ockers Transcript and related resources: https://learninguncut.global/podcast/163/ Podcast information and more episodes: https://learninguncut.global/podcast/

Michelle Ockers is joined by Dr. Cathryn Lloyd, founder of Maverick Minds, to explore how L&D professionals can shift their thinking and support others to shift their thinking. Cathryn shares how her own experiences of personal and professional transformation led to her work in helping individuals and organisations think differently. They discuss why shifting thinking is crucial for L&D professionals who are responsible for supporting learning, change, and capability-building in their organisations. Cathryn introduces practical tools and insights from her book on storytelling and creativity. Hosted by Michelle Ockers Transcript and related resources: https://learninguncut.global/podcast/elevate-40/ Podcast information and more episodes: https://learninguncut.global/podcast/