

Learning Uncut
Michelle Ockers
Learning Uncut is about real conversations around real learning solutions and real experiences with real advice from real people.
We’re all about keeping it “real.”
Here’s an overview of our approach:
Strategy and tactics. We want to unpack the strategy and how-to’s of creating great learning solutions, frameworks and teams.
CONVERSATIONS, NOT SCRIPTED DISCUSSION
Our podcasts are professional but not so edited and polished that they lose their authenticity. We want our audience to hear real people having real conversations and sharing real examples and advice.
PROGRESSIVE
We want to showcase the “unsung L&D heroes” out there doing great work, being brave and trying new things.
PRACTICAL
We invite our guests to share tips and strategies to help listeners take their solutions to the next level. We aim to provide actionable takeaways for our listeners through show notes, links and downloads wherever possible.
We’re all about keeping it “real.”
Here’s an overview of our approach:
Strategy and tactics. We want to unpack the strategy and how-to’s of creating great learning solutions, frameworks and teams.
CONVERSATIONS, NOT SCRIPTED DISCUSSION
Our podcasts are professional but not so edited and polished that they lose their authenticity. We want our audience to hear real people having real conversations and sharing real examples and advice.
PROGRESSIVE
We want to showcase the “unsung L&D heroes” out there doing great work, being brave and trying new things.
PRACTICAL
We invite our guests to share tips and strategies to help listeners take their solutions to the next level. We aim to provide actionable takeaways for our listeners through show notes, links and downloads wherever possible.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Mar 25, 2024 • 49min
143: Skills-Based Career Development – Tiffany Poeppelman
Since 2015, job skill sets have changed by 25%, and this is expected to rise to 65% by 2030. LinkedIn's data shows the evolution of skills required for jobs, emphasising the need for a skills-based approach to talent management. In this episode we take a look at how LinkedIn is supporting their workforce with a skills-based approach to career development with their Director of Career Development, Tiffany Poeppelman. We discuss her work on creating visibility into career paths and helping employees set and pursue their career goals, taking a close look at LinkedIn's Career Week, a global learning festival that encourages employees to invest in their career goals and empowers them to shape their own career path. Host: Michelle Ockers Transcript and related resources: https://learninguncut.global/podcast/143/ Podcast information and more episodes: https://learninguncut.global/podcast/

Mar 18, 2024 • 24min
Elevate 30: L&D’s Role in Strategic Workforce Planning
Kath Hume, a workforce planning and L&D expert and founder of Workforce Transformations, shares valuable insights on strategic workforce planning. She outlines the three horizons of workforce planning: strategic, tactical, and day-to-day. Kath introduces the six B’s—Bind, Build, Borrow, Boost, Bounce, Buy—as essential methods for L&D to support workforce strategies. The discussion also highlights the importance of skill adjacencies in adapting to future needs, showcasing how L&D can drive organizational success through collaboration and data-driven insights.

Mar 11, 2024 • 57min
142: Training at Scale – Ryan Tracey
Ryan Tracey, brings over two decades of experience in learning and development to the table, from his early days in e-learning design and development to mastering the art of scaling L&D initiatives across diverse and widespread organisation landscapes. He shares his experience generously in this episode, peppering his advice with real-world examples. We discuss when training at scale is the right delivery option, the use of pre-work and post-work for application of skills in the workplace and measuring impact. Along the way we address a range of the challenges of scaling training across time zones, geographies and cultures. Host: Michelle Ockers Transcript and related resources: https://learninguncut.global/podcast/142/ Podcast information and more episodes: https://learninguncut.global/podcast/

Mar 4, 2024 • 31min
Elevate 29: Global Sentiment Survey 2024
What’s new in learning and development in 2024? Whether we’re talking about what’s hot, or what concerns us, you might be forgiven for thinking that the answer can be expressed in two letters: AI. But things are more complex than that. Donald H Taylor, lead researcher, discusses key insights from the L&D Global Sentiment Survey 2024. Hosted by Michelle Ockers Transcript and related resources: https://learninguncut.global/podcast/elevate-29/ Podcast information and more episodes: https://learninguncut.global/podcast/

Feb 26, 2024 • 50min
141: UnitingCare Queensland – First Nations Cultural Appreciation – Peter McKenzie
In this episode of Learning Uncut, Peter McKenzie from UnitingCare Queensland joins Michelle Ockers to discuss the First Nations Cultural Appreciation course. They dive into the process of creating the four-module eLearning program including the research, story gathering, design processes and stakeholder review. Furthermore, they discuss what aspects of the program have made it so successful including storytelling, graphic design and collaboration. Lastly, they talk through the challenges such as having to condense such a rich and complex history into understandable, digestible modules. Host: Michelle Ockers Transcript and related resources: https://learninguncut.global/podcast/141/ Podcast information and more episodes: https://learninguncut.global/podcast/

Feb 19, 2024 • 28min
Elevate 28: L&D Benchmark Report – The Future of L&D
Dr. Anna Barnett, from Mind Tools for Business, dives into the latest L&D Benchmark Report, illuminating how AI, climate change, and diversity are set to revolutionize learning and development. She discusses megatrends shaping the future, emphasizing the need for digital intelligence over mere digital literacy. There’s a spotlight on harnessing technology collaboratively within teams, balancing fresh perspectives from Gen Z with the wisdom of seasoned employees. Barnett advocates for diversity and collaboration as powerful catalysts for problem-solving in a rapidly evolving workplace.

Feb 12, 2024 • 59min
140: Safety Leadership: Leader-led Learning – Anthony Mitchell and Heidi Lance
In this episode, we dive deep into how Fletcher Building, one of New Zealand's largest employers, has created a significant shift in safety culture and outcomes. Anthony Mitchell, an EHS Manager from Fletcher Building, and Heidi Lance from Real Learning share the story of how their award-winning Safety Leadership program dramatically shifted the belief that all accidents are preventable. Two key aspects we dive into are storytelling and leader-led learning. Host: Michelle Ockers Transcript and related resources: https://learninguncut.global/podcast/140/ Podcast information and more episodes: https://learninguncut.global/podcast/

Feb 5, 2024 • 32min
Elevate 27: L&D Benchmark Report - Strategic Business Alignment
Gent Ahmetaj and Dr Anna Barnett join Michelle Ockers to discuss a the 20th anniversary reports from the annual L&D benchmark research conducted by Mind Tools for Business. They discuss the key findings from analysing this year's benchmark data, particularly focusing on the importance of strategic business alignment for high-performing L&D teams. They explain how their network analysis uncovered this insight and share examples from the data. The discussion provides useful perspectives for L&D professionals on analysing data, connecting learning to business priorities, and continually improving practices. Host: Michelle Ockers Transcript and related resources: https://learninguncut.global/podcast/elevate-27/ Podcast information and more episodes: https://learninguncut.global/podcast/

Jan 29, 2024 • 59min
139: Appropriate Workplace Behaviour in Construction – Karina Moon and Annaleigh McKay
There is a shift underway in workplace behaviour in the Australian construction industry to create a more welcoming, respectful and inclusive culture. Multiplex has embraced this change with their award-winning Appropriate Workplace Behaviour program. Karina Moon and Annaleigh McKay discuss the program which aims to equip employees with the knowledge to identify appropriate versus inappropriate behaviour, and confidence to speak up, encouraging them to be ‘upstanders’ rather than ‘bystanders’. Host: Michelle Ockers Transcript and related resources: https://learninguncut.global/podcast/139/ Podcast information and more episodes: https://learninguncut.global/podcast/

Jan 22, 2024 • 15min
Elevate 26: Elevate Your Learning Strategy: Join the L&D Strategy Accelerator
Discover how strategic alignment transforms learning and development teams. Learn the benefits of co-designing your organizational learning strategy. The L&D Strategy Accelerator provides expert guidance and essential resources to enhance the impact of learning initiatives. Deepen stakeholder relationships and clarify priorities to boost L&D's credibility. Unpack the powerful action plans that lead to successful implementation and sustainability in your organization.