We invite you to participate in Canada’s Learning and Development Industry Survey.

As its name suggests, this survey captures a snapshot of the work of Learning and Development (L&D) in this country, specifically capturing information about the practices and priorities of internal and external L&D groups. 

The more people who participate, the stronger the quality of the results, which organizations can use to benchmark their training practices and operations.

As an incentive to participate, you will be provided the opportunity to have your name entered in a draw for one of fifty (50) $50 Amazon gift cards when you complete the entire survey. Although we will request information about you to send the gift certificate, your identifying information will be kept separately from your survey responses, ensuring that they remain anonymous.

The results of the survey provide concrete data about the current state of the L&D overall in Canada, which you can use to benchmark your situation with your employer against the industry, to guide data-based decisions within your L&D group, and to inform your career development.

The survey is being conducted by a research team from Concordia University led by I4PL Fellow Saul Carliner in partnership with the Institute for Performance and Learning and is funded by a grant to I4PL from Employment and Skills Development Canada.

The results of this study will be shared with our members through a webinar and a report. More in-depth analyses will be published in academic journals and might also be presented at future events sponsored by I4PL and other organizations.

If you are interested in participating in the study, please click here

The survey will remain open through Monday, November 11.

Happy International Women's Day!

Today, we honor the remarkable achievements of women in our industry and beyond. I am so pleased to serve as the board chair and as a female leader to have the opportunity to contribute to this incredible association.

On this special day, let us take a moment to recognize the invaluable contributions that women have made to the learning and development industry. From navigating through changes and challenges to leading organizations and supporting learning initiatives, especially the 73% of our members who identify as women, have played a crucial role in shaping our community.

It is important to acknowledge the trailblazers who have paved the way for us and continue to inspire us to step forward. We strive to foster a diverse range of learning, leadership, and engagement styles, knowing that our community is richer and stronger because of it. 

Supporting younger women in their careers is paramount, and mentorship plays a pivotal role in their professional development. We encourage you to become a mentor or seek mentorship opportunities within our community through our mentorship program, as we believe in uplifting and supporting each other to reach our full potential.

As we celebrate International Women's Day, let's champion the rights of women all over the world. Let's celebrate the contributions women have made in our organizations, community, and those in our families. Explore ways in which our profession can continue to contribute to the growth, the development, and exciting careers that women are choosing to lean into, to invest in, and improve themselves through the learning practices and the opportunities we provide.

Thank you for being part of our community. Together, let us continue to inspire, empower, and support each other as we strive for a more inclusive and equitable future.

Thank you
Giselle Kovary, M.A. - I4PL Board Chair

L'Institut de la performance et de l'apprentissage reçoit une subvention du gouvernement pour développer les pratiques exemplaires en matière de « compétences pour réussir »   

(Toronto, ON, 11 janvier 2024) - L'Institut pour la Performance et L’Apprentissage (I4PL) est heureux d'annoncer qu'il a obtenu une subvention financée en partie par le gouvernement du Canada par le biais du Programme Compétences pour réussir. Ce financement permettra à I4PL de fournir aux professionnels canadiens de l'apprentissage et du perfectionnement (L&D) des conseils et des outils pour aider les employés canadiens à développer trois compétences spécifiques dans le cadre des compétences pour la réussite, à savoir la créativité et l'innovation, l'adaptabilité et la collaboration.

Compte tenu de l'évolution rapide du contexte de l'emploi, les travailleurs canadiens sont de plus en plus nombreux à vouloir acquérir ou renouveler des compétences. Cela a mené à une pression accrue sur les professionnels de l'apprentissage et du perfectionnement pour soutenir à la fois les organisations et les employés dans la fourniture de formation, d'éducation et de ressources pour aider au développement de ces compétences cruciales. Ce financement permettra à I4PL de contribuer directement à ce besoin croissant .

Les objectifs spécifiques du projet sont les suivants :

• Réaliser une analyse de la recherche sur les pratiques efficaces et inefficaces pour développer la créativité et l'innovation, l'adaptabilité et les compétences de collaboration chez les employés canadiens.
• Déterminer dans quelle mesure les professionnels canadiens de l'apprentissage et du perfectionnement dispensent déjà des formations sur ces compétences et quelle est leur capacité à le faire.
• Améliorer les compétences de la communauté des formateurs pour enseigner les compétences socioémotionnelles en fournissant des pratiques exemplaires fondées sur des données probantes et des projets modèles.

« Grâce à ce projet, I4PL aura l'occasion de diriger et de façonner les pratiques exemplaires en matière de performance et d'apprentissage sur les lieux de travail canadiens », déclare Giselle Kovary, présidente du Conseil d'administration d'I4PL. « En fournissant aux professionnels de l'apprentissage et du perfectionnement des outils et des ressources pour s'assurer que les employés canadiens ont les compétences requises pour réussir dans l'économie mondiale d'aujourd'hui, I4PL se réjouit de contribuer directement au renforcement et à la valeur de la main-d'œuvre canadienne . »

Le projet est en cours et sera achevé en 2025.

À propos de l'Institut pour la Performance et L’Apprentissage (I4PL)

L'Institut pour la Performance et L’Apprentissage (I4PL), anciennement connu sous le nom de Société canadienne pour la formation et le développement, est une organisation à but non lucratif dirigée par ses membres et destinée aux professionnels qui soutiennent l'apprentissage et la performance sur le lieu de travail. L'I4PL représente une communauté nationale solide d'experts en apprentissage et en développement, de partenaires, de jeunes professionnels et de parties prenantes à travers le Canada.

En tant qu'institut, nous fixons les normes pour les professionnels de l'apprentissage et de la performance au Canada, nous offrons des désignations recherchées pour l'ensemble de la communauté d’apprentissage et de développement et nous défendons notre profession. Nous visons à améliorer la performance de la main-d'œuvre canadienne en offrant à nos membres la possibilité d'améliorer leurs compétences, de travailler en réseau, d'apprendre et de se perfectionner au sein d'une communauté nationale d'experts en apprentissage et en performance .

The Institute for Performance and Learning (I4PL) Awarded Government Grant to Build ‘Skills for Success’ Best Practices  

(Toronto, ON., January 11, 2024) —The Institute for Performance and Learning (I4PL) is excited to announce that it has been awarded a grant funded in part by the Government of Canada's Skills for Success Program. This funding will allow I4PL to provide Canadian Learning and Development (L&D) professionals with guidance and tools to help Canadian employees build three specific skills within the Skills for Success Program, namely creativity and innovation, adaptability and collaboration. 

There is increasing demand for upskilling and reskilling of Canadian workers given the rapidly changing employment landscape. This has led to increased pressure on L&D professionals to support both organizations and employees in delivering training, education and resources to assist the development of these crucial skills. This funding will allow I4PL to directly contribute to this growing need.

The project’s specific objectives are to:

• Conduct a review of the research on effective and ineffective practices for building creativity and innovation, adaptability and collaboration skills in Canadian employees 
• Determine the extent to which Canadian L&D professionals are already providing training on these skills as well as their capacity to do so
• Upgrade the skills of the training community to teach socio-emotional skills by providing evidence-based best practice and model projects.

“Through this project, I4PL will have the opportunity to lead and shape performance and learning best practices in Canadian workplaces,” says Giselle Kovary, I4PL Board Chair. “By providing L&D professionals with tools and resources to ensure Canadian employees have the required skills to succeed in today’s global economy, I4PL looks forward to directly contributing to the strengthening and value of the Canadian workforce.”

The project is currently underway and will be completed in 2025.

About the Institute for Performance and Learning (I4PL)

The Institute for Performance and Learning (I4PL), formerly known as the Canadian Society for Training and Development, is a member-driven, not-for-profit organization for professionals supporting learning and performance in the workplace. I4PL represents a strong, national community of learning and development experts, partners, young professionals and stakeholders across Canada. 

As an institute, we set the standards for learning and performance professionals in Canada, offer sought-after designations for the wider L&D community, and champion our profession. We aim to elevate the performance of the Canadian Workforce by providing our members with opportunities to upgrade skills, network, learn, and grow through a national community of L&D experts.

Access this release in French

I4PL Board Chair Giselle Kovary’s Top 10 Take-Aways from Conference

I’m still riding the wave of energy and inspiration from this year’s National Conference and I’m sure if you were there, you are too!

Reflecting on our two very full days, so many things jump out as special moments, ideas and connections, here are some of the highlights that stand out for me:

1. The energy of our community – WOW! I’ve been to so many Conferences, but I have to say, the level of energy and enthusiasm present from start to finish was absolutely incredible. Seeing so many people reconnecting with friends and colleagues, current and past, as well as new connections being made, demonstrated that a true sense of community exists and is vibrant at the I4PL.
   
2. The indigenous welcome and blessing from Elder Clayton Shirt was an incredible way to kick off our conference with openness and reverence for the sacred traditional teachings. The powerful drumming and beautiful dancing moved me at a deep level. This was the most impactful conference opening I have ever participated in.
3. Inspiration and ideas – I am taking away so many new perspectives, resources, tools and ways to approach many of the common challenges we as performance and learning professionals face, especially around increasing inclusion in our learning sessions, managing our own stress, and how to challenge our thinking around what is possible
4. The keynotes stood out for me as not only inspirational but helped facilitate some deep reflection on how I work, my role as an L&D professional and the purpose and future of the profession at large.
5. If you missed it, the After Party Mixer on Day 1, sponsored by LPI, had so much conversation going on, my wine glass was vibrating and I had a chance to chat with members I have never met and learn more about how we can support them in their professional growth.
6. The breakout sessions provided a fantastic mix of topics both across our 4 learning tracks and within them, and provided everything from introductions to new concepts and topics, to hands-on learning both individually and amongst peers. I learned a lot, laughed a lot, and loved the energy of being together to talk, share and problem solve.
7. This year we included a book table with Caversham Books which had a constant flow of people perusing and purchasing books, including those from our two “Meet the Authors” session. Belinda Clemmensen with The Women's Leadership Intensive and Dr. Rebecca Sutherns with Sage Solutions shared inspiring and thought-provoking reflections on leadership, learning and adapting in a complex and fast-paced world. Thank you, both!
8. Networking was a core goal for many of us at this year’s Conference, and I found moments both planned and spontaneous where those occurred. From the mingling during meals and breaktimes (the food was fabulous!), to the networking activities around in sessions, it was comforting to reconnect with familiar faces and exhilarating to meet new people from across the country.
9. There was so much to celebrate! From congratulating our newly certified members, to thanking the many I4PL volunteers, to standing ovations after the keynotes and welcoming those that attended the conference for the first time, there was a wonderful vibe of celebration ongoing over the two days. Of course, the constant winning of prizes (over 40 prizes were handed out!) and our final winners for the gamification had some definite reasons to celebrate. Congratulations to everyone!
10. Finally, I’m taking away huge anticipation for next year’s Conference. I was thrilled to be able to announce the 2024 Conference will take place on Thursday, November 21 – Friday, November 22, 2024 at the Westin Harbour Castle Hotel. Mark your calendars now…I can’t wait to see you there!

Oh, and of course I can’t forget my dance off on the main stage – that was a ton of fun! Thanks to Moe Poirier for a being a great sport….did I win?!😊

As Learning & Development professionals, we know how much goes into planning and creating a welcoming and engaging learning experience. I am deeply grateful to the entire Conference planning committee, I4PL volunteers, and our National team who put in tremendous time and effort to orchestrate this incredible conference and bring together the L&D community across Canada to learn, share and connect.

A huge THANK YOU to everyone who helped make this year’s conference a big success. I’ll see everyone in 2024!

I4PL Research REPORT - NOW AVAILABLE! 

2023 Report on Diversity, Inclusion, Connections and Equity (DICE)

The 2023 Diversity, Inclusion, Connections and Equity report is now available in English (francais a venir). The report addresses the research question “How are performance and learning professionals currently incorporating DICE principles into the design, implementation, and facilitation of the learning solutions they are creating and implementing for their clients?”. 

I4PL members receive a FREE copy. Once your order is complete, you'll receive a confirmation order with the report download link. Non-members will be charged $49.99 CAD (plus applicable tax).

NOUVEAU RAPPORT DE RECHERCHE SUR L'I4PL - MAINTENANT DISPONIBLE!

Rapport de recherche I4PL 2023 sur DICE : Diversité, Inclusion, Connexions et Equité

Basé sur une recherche originale menée avec des professionnels de la performance et de l'apprentissage à travers le Canada, ce rapport robuste répond à la question de recherche "Comment les professionnels de la performance et de l'apprentissage intègrent-ils actuellement les principes DICE dans la conception, la mise en œuvre et la facilitation des solutions d'apprentissage qu'ils créent et mettent en œuvre pour leurs clients ?

Les membres d'I4PL s'inscrivent pour recevoir leur exemplaire GRATUITEMENT. Les non-membres devront payer 49,99 $ CAD (+ taxes).

Happy Performance and Learning Month! We're halfway through this month of celebration, and we hope you've been enjoying the benefits as a member.

We've had engaging social media posts for you to use, and we've offered five outstanding webinars this month. We hope you're actively celebrating within your organizations.

Some exciting updates to share:

1. Our new Dice report on Diversity, Inclusion, Connection, and Equity is set to be released in the next few weeks. This report, available to members in both English and French, offers valuable insights and practical tips based on survey results.

2. In October, we'll be unveiling our next research project, promising to be a game-changer for our members.

3. Don't miss our annual conference on November 2nd and 3rd in Toronto. Tickets are selling fast, and registration closes on October 11th. You're invited to bring colleagues, even if they're not members, for a chance to learn from inspiring keynote speakers like Madeline Holman Blanchard, a renowned thought leader in coaching.

Join us at the conference in Nov to network, learn, and share. We wish you a fantastic Performance and Learning Month!

Conference registration is officially open!

Join us at the I4PL Annual Conference on November 2-3, 2023 at the Hilton Hotel Toronto, as we explore "Rekindling the Era of Agility." We are bringing together Performance and Learning thought leaders, influencers, and decision-makers to co-discover new insights,  share best practices, and explore cutting-edge tools. Together, we will uncover the strategies needed to lead and position organizations 
for success in this era of agility.

Discover the keys to adaptability, inclusivity, and equity (DICE), while leveraging technology and prioritizing employee well-being. Engage in thought-provoking discussions on mental health, work/life balance, social learning, and revolutionize overall learning experiences.

Register now and secure your spot and be part of this transformative event that will shape the future of performance and learning with early bird prices. 

I4PL 2023 comprises of 4 exciting learning tracks

• Reigniting Leadership
• Recharging Wellbeing
• Rethinking Technology & Learning Analytics
• Revitalizing Learner Experiences & Social Learning

Click here to learn more about speaker track descriptions.

Happy Pride From the I4PL Board! from I4PL on Vimeo.

I4PL’S MEMBER APPRECIATION WEEK! 

MONDAY, MAY 8 – FRIDAY, MAY 12TH

It's Member Appreciation Week at I4PL, and  we want to express our gratitude for your continued membership and participation in the I4PL community.

Here's a summary of all the new information from the week:

• Lucky winners of our Learnfest draw
• Winners with best take-away from I4PL Membership
  
• Mentor program cohort registration is now open
• Exclusive access to our webinars for members only
• New member-to-member messaging feature now available! With a  how-to-guide
• The launch of I4PL member discussion forum, with a  how-to-guide for using the forum
  

Thank you for being a part of the I4PL community, we appreciate your commitment to L&D. Happy Member Appreciation Week  from I4PL Board & National Team! Watch thank you video here

Participate in the Survey of Informal Learning Practices in Organizations

I4PL is supporting Fellow Saul Carliner on an exciting new study!

You are invited to participate in a survey about informal learning practices in your organization and how they contrast with practices for formal learning. 

The survey specifically explores the forms that formal and informal learning take in your organization, means of promoting the availability of both types of learning, practices for recognizing both types of learning, and some of the metrics that might be tracked for each type of learning. The survey takes about 15 to 20 minutes to complete. 

As an incentive to participate, you will be provided the opportunity to have your name entered in a draw for one of ten $25 Amazon gift cards when you complete the entire survey. Although we will request information about you to send the gift certificate, your identifying information will be kept separately from your survey responses, ensuring that they remain anonymous. 

In addition to the survey of training and development professionals, this program of research also includes in-depth tracking of the actual informal learning of middle- and high-skilled workers in Canada. Together, the two studies provide a rich portrait of informal learning in our country. 
The survey is being conducted by a research team from Concordia University led by I4PL Fellow Saul Carliner under a grant from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada. 

The results of this study will be shared with I4PL members through a webinar. More in-depth analyses will be published in academic journals and might also be presented at future events sponsored by I4PL and other organizations. 

Please click here to in participate in the study, 

The survey will remain open through May 23, 2023. 

Board Chair Update to I4PL Members

Greetings, I am Giselle Kovary, M.A.  Chair at the Institute for Performance and Learning. Our members have spoken, and we have listened. We are delighted to announce that we have doubled the number of free webinars we will offer this year, catering to diverse interests and preferences. We have carefully curated two different streams of content, one for advanced topics and another for practical know-how relevant to your roles. So, explore the variety of webinars we have in store and choose those that best align with your interests.

Additionally, we are excited to continue our partnership with ATD, which offers our members exclusive access to their extensive research and valuable insights. This year, ATD will present two webinars for us, the first of which will cover the latest trends in learning and development. Stay tuned for more information on the second webinar, which will be delivered in September.

If you are interested in joining our Canadian delegation to the annual ATD conference in May, please sign up for your discount code and come join me and our dynamic Delegation Leader, Moe Poirier, for an unforgettable experience in San Diego.

Finally, I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to everyone who has made this year so successful thus far. As we move forward into the rest of the year, we have a lot to look forward to, including our Learnfest in June and our upcoming Conference in November. Thank you for being part of the I4PL community!

We are thrilled to share a save-the-date for the 2023 event. We’ll be returning to the Toronto Hilton from Thursday, November 2 – Friday, November 3, 2023.

We plan on offering full passes as well as daily passes so you have the flexibility to attend one or both days. 

We had such amazing feedback from our sold-out crowd about the venue that we’re returning for more great learning and sharing. 96% of attendees reported that the 2022 Conference provided excellent value for their investment. Attendees gave positive feedback, with many praising the conference's overall organization and the quality of the presentations. Here are just a few examples of the feedback we received from this past year’s attendees:

“The vendors were so approachable and informative. I received takeaways from each session that are actionable in my day-to-day work. The conference reminded me that we are not on our own; we are part of a wonderful community.”

“It was fantastic! I loved being surrounded by like-minded, passionate people, and learning new tools to implement back in the workplace.”

Mark your calendars for this year’s event! Stay tuned for more information.

STAYING CURRENT IN A CHANGING WORLD 

By I4PL Research Committee

The pace of change in L&D doesn't show any signs of slowing down, and I4PL members continue to engage with what that means for our profession. Many recently tuned in to join "Staying Current in a Changing World," a special members-only event co-presented by I4PL and the Association for Talent Development (ATD). 

Jennifer Homer, ATD Vice President, began with a presentation on ATD's Talent Development Capability Model . The model was developed from research done before the pandemic, so a follow-up survey was conducted in 2021 to see how perceptions might have changed and what new insights might emerge.  

The figure below shows some of that data. Over 80% of respondents saw an increase in the importance of communications and technology application, with emotional intelligence and decision-making, cultural awareness and inclusion, change management, and instructional design also flagged by more than 50% of respondents. Two of those items, instructional design and technology application, were also identified in I4PL's member survey as "hot" issues. Learning science, another hot issue within I4PL, was highlighted by 33% of ATD respondents. 

Facilitated discussion with event participants brought out some additional themes:

• Importance of growth mindset and managing overwhelm
• Data-driven decision-making and storytelling 
• Raising the bar for virtual learning
• Building L&D team
• Committing to diversity, inclusion, connections, equity (DICE)
• Applying neuroscience and learning science principles
  

Learn more

I4PL members can see a recording of the event by logging into your I4PL account. Not a member? You can learn more about the ATD Talent Capability Model on ATD’s website , download I4PL’s competency framework from our online store (free for members), and read I4PL’s work on the L&D landscape in our 2021 Perspectives on the Canadian Learning Industry .

Join the conversation

The coming years will bring more change, more connections, and more innovation. This year, for the first time, I4PL had a delegation at ATD’s International Conference and Expo. In June, Learnfest 2022 will address the theme “Agile Performance and Learning: Staying Resilient Amidst Constant Change.” 

Watch for more upcoming events , or consider shaping the future of the profession by joining I4PL or pursuing certification . 

Finally, you can directly share your own experience in the changing world of L&D. The Research Committee is gathering insights for the Knowledge Hub and future publications and we want to hear from you! Tell your story by contacting us at research@performanceandlearning.ca

The Research Committee is excited to share new changes that will strengthen and enable 

This clearer, more defined direction will underpin our commitment to:           

• −curate timely, relevant, evidence-based content,
• −connect researchers and practitioners in both academic and corporate settings, and
• −convene diverse stakeholder groups to share  ideas and experiences, build skills and elevate the profession.

We will ask critical questions, challenge assumptions and bust myths. Plus, we will support research literacy, knowledge transfer and evidence-based best practices in all of our work.  We look forward to partnering with you, the I4PL community, to that end.

What has changed?

We have rebranded and refreshed the Research Committee pages on the I4PL site to simplify navigation, making it easier to find the content you need, when you need it.

Your journey starts at the new landing page, Research at I4PL, available from the Professional Development menu. From here, you can learn about the committee’s mandate and get to know the team members.

Are you searching for content for a project or assignment?  Look no further than the Knowledge HUB I4PL’s new blog and content library! Here you can browse content by topic, like and comment on popular posts, and easily share content with your network.

Are you a researcher or practitioner interested in sharing your knowledge and building the I4PL community? We want to hear from you! Help build the  Knowledge HUB by submitting your evidence-based research, tools and resources, or articles.

Next steps?

Get engaged today!

1. Check out our new pages and get to know the committee mandate and members.
2. Visit the Knowledge HUB and like, comment on and share blog posts that resonate with you.
3. Review our submission guidelines to contribute content and help build our community.

We want to hear from you! Send us an email  and let us know what you think about the changes and your ideas for consideration.

For all the latest news from I4PL, please see our Newsletter and don't forget to subscribe!