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Welcome to this episode of When Skills Matter. In this conversation, we discuss what HR leaders need to consider before proposing new AI initiatives.
Our guest line-up includes Nebel Crowhurst, a senior HR executive with hands-on experience guiding organisations through digital transformation; Carolyn Shepherd, founder and lead consultant at Emmeline AI, known for her focus on future skills; and Perry Timms, founder and chief energy officer at Perry Timms HR, who champions progressive approaches to talent.
Together with our host, Robin Adda, we explore real-world applications and pressing challenges facing HR, L&D, and business leaders today.
This is a grounded discussion for anyone involved in skills mapping, learning strategy, or workforce development. If you’re aiming to prove the ROI of talent initiatives and want to build a more skills-focused workplace, you’ll find plenty of relevant, real-world takeaways here.
Whether you’re an HR, L&D, Talent, or business leader, our goal is to equip you with practical insights and new perspectives to help your organisation thrive.
We’re glad to have you with us on When Skills Matter.
About The PodcastThe When Skills Matter podcast is where forward-thinking HR, L&D, and business leaders come together to share practical ideas and fresh perspectives on workforce development, learning, and performance.
Hosted by Robin Adda, founder and CEO of SkillsAssess, the show dives into real-world strategies for closing skills gaps, developing leaders, aligning HR and L&D with business priorities, and making smarter people decisions that drive measurable impact.
You’ll hear from experienced practitioners and innovators as they explore what’s working, what’s not, and how to navigate the challenges of change, digital disruption, and the evolving world of work.
Whether you’re focused on skills mapping, learning strategy, or talent development, this podcast will give you valuable insights you can use right away.
About SkillsAssessBy providing comprehensive data analytics, SkillsAssess shows where skills gaps are within organisations by department, job role and individual, providing recommendations for learners to upskill only where needed.
Powered by AI, our tool is designed to help organisations in any sector pinpoint skill gaps and increase productivity in a fast and scalable way.
Our intuitive dashboard was designed for HR and L&D managers and administrators, bringing all the data and analytics together to make staff upskilling faster, simpler, and more focused.
Learn more at www.SkillsAssess.ai.
We’re excited to bring you these conversations. Welcome to When Skills Matter.
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Welcome to this episode of When Skills Matter.
In this conversation, we’re joined by Valerie Merrill, founder of Merrill Consultants International and host of the Secrets of Learning and Development podcast. With decades of experience helping organizations navigate leadership development, management capability, and practical training, Valerie Merrill brings valuable perspective on what it takes to build a skilled, resilient workforce in a fast-changing world.
Together, we examine how organizations can adapt their learning strategies to meet evolving business needs and workforce expectations. We discuss the practical reality of addressing skills gaps, why learning approaches must keep pace with technological change, and what leaders and L&D professionals can do to support meaningful skill development for their teams.
We discuss:
How the shelf life of skills is shrinking, and what that means for today’s workplacesThe need for a calm, strategic approach to AI, and practical ways to assess and integrate new technologiesHow to move beyond guesswork and use data to diagnose skill gaps and training needsThe importance of psychological safety, trust, and adaptability for effective leadership in remote and hybrid teamsWhy personalized and adaptive learning pathways lead to greater engagement and impactWays to plan for the future by understanding workforce capabilities and staying agile in the face of changeThis episode is relevant for anyone involved in skills mapping, learning strategy, training effectiveness, or preparing for the future of work. Our conversation offers actionable insights into building capability and leading teams through complexity.
We’re glad to have you with us on When Skills Matter.
About The PodcastThe When Skills Matter podcast is where forward-thinking HR, L&D, and business leaders come together to share practical ideas and fresh perspectives on workforce development, learning, and performance.
Hosted by Robin Adda, founder and CEO of SkillsAssess, the show dives into real-world strategies for closing skills gaps, developing leaders, aligning HR and L&D with business priorities, and making smarter people decisions that drive measurable impact.
You’ll hear from experienced practitioners and innovators as they explore what’s working, what’s not, and how to navigate the challenges of change, digital disruption, and the evolving world of work.
Whether you’re focused on skills mapping, learning strategy, or talent development, this podcast will give you valuable insights you can use right away.
About SkillsAssessBy providing comprehensive data analytics, SkillsAssess shows where skills gaps are within organisations by department, job role and individual, providing recommendations for learners to upskill only where needed.
Powered by AI, our tool is designed to help organisations in any sector pinpoint skill gaps and increase productivity in a fast and scalable way.
Our intuitive dashboard was designed for HR and L&D managers and administrators, bringing all the data and analytics together to make staff upskilling faster, simpler, and more focused.
Learn more at www.SkillsAssess.ai.
We’re excited to bring you these conversations. Welcome to When Skills Matter.
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Saknas det avsnitt?
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Welcome to this episode of When Skills Matter.
In this conversation, we welcome Jonty Rooke, a strategic leader with deep experience building cross-sector partnerships and designing data-informed employment and skills programmes. Jonty’s perspective matters because he actively connects government, employers, and communities to deliver inclusive workforce outcomes and champions practical solutions for skills gaps and social mobility.
We discuss the realities of youth employment in the UK, the evolving barriers facing jobseekers, and the importance of purposeful work and collaboration. Throughout the episode, Jonty shares practical insights from leading large-scale employment programmes, including the Connect to Work initiative, and offers clear advice for HR and L&D leaders aiming to make tangible improvements.
We cover:
How the shrinking of entry-level sectors and policy changes are impacting youth employmentThe vital role of inclusive hiring and support for those with disabilities and mental health challengesWhy employers need to make work more attractive and purposeful, especially for younger peopleHow skills assessment, targeted upskilling, and data-driven approaches create more effective workforce developmentThe impact of tech and AI on the hiring process, and the need to bring more humanity back into recruitmentWhy investing in skills development—in both new hires and existing staff—drives long-term organisational capabilityThe importance of coaching, mentoring, and management training for sustained productivityPractical ideas for rethinking CVs, interviews, and onboarding, inspired by real employer examplesWhat frontline employability professionals and programme leaders are learning about success and resilience in today’s labour marketOur goal with this podcast is to share real stories and actionable insights from people shaping workforce development. If you’re focused on skills mapping, learning effectiveness, or the future of talent, you’ll find useful perspectives and next steps you can apply right away.
We’re glad to have you with us on When Skills Matter.
About The PodcastThe When Skills Matter podcast is where forward-thinking HR, L&D, and business leaders come together to share practical ideas and fresh perspectives on workforce development, learning, and performance.
Hosted by Robin Adda, founder and CEO of SkillsAssess, the show dives into real-world strategies for closing skills gaps, developing leaders, aligning HR and L&D with business priorities, and making smarter people decisions that drive measurable impact.
You’ll hear from experienced practitioners and innovators as they explore what’s working, what’s not, and how to navigate the challenges of change, digital disruption, and the evolving world of work.
Whether you’re focused on skills mapping, learning strategy, or talent development, this podcast will give you valuable insights you can use right away.
About SkillsAssessBy providing comprehensive data analytics, SkillsAssess shows where skills gaps are within organisations by department, job role and individual, providing recommendations for learners to upskill only where needed.
Powered by AI, our tool is designed to help organisations in any sector pinpoint skill gaps and increase productivity in a fast and scalable way.
Our intuitive dashboard was designed for HR and L&D managers and administrators, bringing all the data and analytics together to make staff upskilling faster, simpler, and more focused.
Learn more at www.SkillsAssess.ai.
We’re excited to bring you these conversations. Welcome to When Skills Matter.
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Welcome to this episode of When Skills Matter.elcome to this episode of When Skills Matter. In this conversation, we delve into the rapidly evolving world of AI and its impact on upskilling, credibility, and workforce development.
Our guest line-up includes Nebel Crowhurst, a senior HR executive with hands-on experience guiding organisations through digital transformation; Carolyn Shepherd, founder and lead consultant at Emmeline AI, known for her focus on future skills; and Perry Timms, founder and chief energy officer at Perry Timms HR, who champions progressive approaches to talent.
Together with our host, Robin Adda, we explore real-world applications and pressing challenges facing HR, L&D, and business leaders today.
This episode explores the practical steps HR and L&D professionals can take to align their work with leadership priorities and show real impact. Our guests discuss how organisations can move beyond basic reporting, using data and storytelling to connect people initiatives with business performance. They emphasise the importance of collaboration, supporting middle managers, and embracing a coaching approach to learning rather than just delivering programmes on request.
We discuss:
Why aligning HR and L&D initiatives with organisational goals makes a measurable difference
How to move beyond traditional data points (like absence and turnover) to real measures of value
The role of collaboration across stakeholders, especially the support needed for middle managers
Approaches to designing people strategies that are integrated, not isolated, from business strategy
The value of engaging employees and leaders in creating learning solutions that address both immediate challenges and long-term ambitions
Practical ways to demonstrate the commercial impact of HR and learning investments
This is a grounded discussion for anyone involved in skills mapping, learning strategy, or workforce development. If you’re aiming to prove the ROI of talent initiatives and want to build a more skills-focused workplace, you’ll find plenty of relevant, real-world takeaways here.
Whether you’re an HR, L&D, Talent, or business leader, our goal is to equip you with practical insights and new perspectives to help your organisation thrive.
We’re glad to have you with us on When Skills Matter.
About The PodcastThe When Skills Matter podcast is where forward-thinking HR, L&D, and business leaders come together to share practical ideas and fresh perspectives on workforce development, learning, and performance.
Hosted by Robin Adda, founder and CEO of SkillsAssess, the show dives into real-world strategies for closing skills gaps, developing leaders, aligning HR and L&D with business priorities, and making smarter people decisions that drive measurable impact.
You’ll hear from experienced practitioners and innovators as they explore what’s working, what’s not, and how to navigate the challenges of change, digital disruption, and the evolving world of work.
Whether you’re focused on skills mapping, learning strategy, or talent development, this podcast will give you valuable insights you can use right away.
About SkillsAssessBy providing comprehensive data analytics, SkillsAssess shows where skills gaps are within organisations by department, job role and individual, providing recommendations for learners to upskill only where needed.
Powered by AI, our tool is designed to help organisations in any sector pinpoint skill gaps and increase productivity in a fast and scalable way.
Our intuitive dashboard was designed for HR and L&D managers and administrators, bringing all the data and analytics together to make staff upskilling faster, simpler, and more focused.
Learn more at www.SkillsAssess.ai.
We’re excited to bring you these conversations. Welcome to When Skills Matter.
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Welcome to this episode of When Skills Matter.
In this conversation, we flip things around as Robins joins Neil C. Hughes, on his podcast, Tech Talks Daily, for a practical and timely discussion on how AI can transform job opportunities and workforce development.
Together, Robin and Neil explore the real challenges and opportunities facing leaders as technology rapidly reshapes the working world. Theye dive into how organisations and employees can successfully navigate skills gaps, build personalised training plans, and ensure that AI is a tool for growth - not just another headline about job loss.
They discuss:
How AI-driven skills mapping reveals true capability and identifies practical learning needs
Why personalised training is more effective than traditional, standardised approaches
The importance of integrating human qualities like critical thinking, curiosity, and communication into skills strategies
What causes anxiety about AI for employees, and how organisations can turn that concern into motivation for retraining
The real-world impact of digital skills gaps across sectors - and practical ways to close them
Strategies for future-proofing teams, including auditing skills frameworks and making learning more relevant
The role AI can play in upskilling, improving productivity, and supporting economic growth
Our aim in this episode is to share insights that help HR, L&D, and business leaders make evidence-based decisions, align learning with business needs, and create organisations where people can thrive in the age of artificial intelligence.
Whether you’re focused on skills mapping, personalised learning pathways, or effective upskilling, you’ll find practical ideas for building a more agile, confident workforce.
We’re excited to bring you these conversations. Welcome to When Skills Matter.
About The PodcastThe When Skills Matter podcast is where forward-thinking HR, L&D, and business leaders come together to share practical ideas and fresh perspectives on workforce development, learning, and performance.
Hosted by Robin Adda, founder and CEO of SkillsAssess, the show dives into real-world strategies for closing skills gaps, developing leaders, aligning HR and L&D with business priorities, and making smarter people decisions that drive measurable impact.
You’ll hear from experienced practitioners and innovators as they explore what’s working, what’s not, and how to navigate the challenges of change, digital disruption, and the evolving world of work.
Whether you’re focused on skills mapping, learning strategy, or talent development, this podcast will give you valuable insights you can use right away.
About SkillsAssessBy providing comprehensive data analytics, SkillsAssess shows where skills gaps are within organisations by department, job role and individual, providing recommendations for learners to upskill only where needed.
Powered by AI, this new tool is designed to aid organisations in any field to pinpoint skill gaps and increase productivity in a quick and scaleable manner.
Using an intuitive dashboard principally designed for HR and L&D managers and administrators, all the data including full analytics is contained and accessed in one place to make the task of staff upskilling quicker, simpler and easier to carry out.
Learn more at www.SkillsAssess.ai.
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Welcome to this episode of When Skills Matter. In this conversation, we delve into the rapidly evolving world of AI and its impact on upskilling, credibility, and workforce development.
Our guest line-up includes Nebel Crowhurst, a senior HR executive with hands-on experience guiding organisations through digital transformation; Carolyn Shepherd, founder and lead consultant at Emmeline AI, known for her focus on future skills; and Perry Timms, founder and chief energy officer at Perry Timms HR, who champions progressive approaches to talent.
Together with our host, Robin Adda, we explore real-world applications and pressing challenges facing HR, L&D, and business leaders today.
We talk through how AI is shaping the skills landscape, why fear and uncertainty often accompany new technology, and the steps leaders can take to build credibility and trust while navigating change.
We discuss:
Where AI can support upskilling and strengthen the value of HR and L&D
How credibility may be damaged by over-reliance on AI-generated content, and ways to avoid this trap
The importance of context, personalisation, and reflection in learning strategy
Lessons from past workplace technology shifts, from Google to social media and beyond
The need to break away from orthodoxy, experiment, and evolve learning practices
How business flexibility and entrepreneurial thinking are reshaping job roles and descriptions
Our guests offer practical insights and examples that help make sense of both opportunities and risks as AI transforms the way organisations approach learning and talent development.
Whether you work in HR, L&D, Talent, or business leadership, you’ll find ideas in this episode you can apply right away.
We’re glad to have you with us on When Skills Matter.
About The PodcastThe When Skills Matter podcast is where forward-thinking HR, L&D, and business leaders come together to share practical ideas and fresh perspectives on workforce development, learning, and performance.
Hosted by Robin Adda, founder and CEO of SkillsAssess, the show dives into real-world strategies for closing skills gaps, developing leaders, aligning HR and L&D with business priorities, and making smarter people decisions that drive measurable impact.
You’ll hear from experienced practitioners and innovators as they explore what’s working, what’s not, and how to navigate the challenges of change, digital disruption, and the evolving world of work.
Whether you’re focused on skills mapping, learning strategy, or talent development, this podcast will give you valuable insights you can use right away.
About SkillsAssessBy providing comprehensive data analytics, SkillsAssess shows where skills gaps are within organisations by department, job role and individual, providing recommendations for learners to upskill only where needed.
Powered by AI, our tool is designed to help organisations in any sector pinpoint skill gaps and increase productivity in a fast and scalable way.
Our intuitive dashboard was designed for HR and L&D managers and administrators, bringing all the data and analytics together to make staff upskilling faster, simpler, and more focused.
Learn more at www.SkillsAssess.ai.
We’re excited to bring you these conversations. Welcome to When Skills Matter.
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Welcome to this episode of When Skills Matter.
In this conversation, we share a special interview between our own Robin Adda, founder and CEO of SkillsAssess, and Ben Geoghegan, host of A Better HR Business podcast. Robin Adda brings decades of entrepreneurial experience in learning, workforce development, and EdTech. His perspective is shaped by building and scaling multiple businesses, with a focus on addressing the real skills challenges facing organisations today.
Together, we discuss how leaders can move past outdated training models and use skills assessment, data, and AI to make workforce upskilling more effective and measurable. The conversation covers essential lessons from building businesses, practical approaches to closing skills gaps, and the changing landscape of learning and development.
We explore:
Why resilience and adaptability are essential for today’s leaders
How practical skills assessment can drive personalised learning pathways
Where traditional training often falls short - and how to address it
The role of AI in diagnosing skills gaps and supporting continuous workforce development
What L&D and HR leaders should look for in assessment tools that align with business goals
Ways to ensure your upskilling strategy is flexible, people-focused, and future-ready
This episode is relevant for anyone looking to make better people decisions, align training with business priorities, or make learning investment go further. You’ll hear first-hand insights on selecting the right tools, integrating assessment and development, and preparing your workforce for what’s next.
Our goal is to help you close skills gaps, improve training effectiveness, and shape a more adaptable organisation - one that’s ready for tomorrow’s challenges.
We’re glad to have you with us on When Skills Matter.
About The PodcastThe When Skills Matter podcast is where forward-thinking HR, L&D, and business leaders come together to share practical ideas and fresh perspectives on workforce development, learning, and performance.
Hosted by Robin Adda, founder and CEO of SkillsAssess, the show dives into real-world strategies for closing skills gaps, developing leaders, aligning HR and L&D with business priorities, and making smarter people decisions that drive measurable impact.
You’ll hear from experienced practitioners and innovators as they explore what’s working, what’s not, and how to navigate the challenges of change, digital disruption, and the evolving world of work.
Whether you’re focused on skills mapping, learning strategy, or talent development, this podcast will give you valuable insights you can use right away.
About SkillsAssessBy providing comprehensive data analytics, SkillsAssess shows where skills gaps are within organisations by department, job role and individual, providing recommendations for learners to upskill only where needed.
Powered by AI, our tool is designed to help organisations in any sector pinpoint skill gaps and increase productivity in a fast and scalable way.
Our intuitive dashboard was designed for HR and L&D managers and administrators, bringing all the data and analytics together to make staff upskilling faster, simpler, and more focused.
Learn more at www.SkillsAssess.ai.
We’re excited to bring you these conversations. Welcome to When Skills Matter.
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In today's conversation, we sit down with Devyani Vaishampayan, a respected boardroom leader, former FTSE 100 HR Director, and AI entrepreneur who has shaped the global HR landscape for over three decades. With her unique experience spanning senior corporate leadership, innovative AI investment, and non-executive directorships, Devyani Vaishampayan offers grounded perspectives on what it takes for organisations to build future-proof skills and drive workforce performance.
Together with our host Robin Adda, we explore practical, real-world issues facing today’s HR, L&D, and business leaders. Our discussion focuses on closing skills gaps, using data to make better people decisions, and embracing new technology in a way that balances digital transformation with human strengths.
We discuss:
Why skills and talent strategies are top-of-mind for business performance, especially as the pace of change accelerates
How Devyani’s journey from HR leadership to AI entrepreneurship is reshaping practical approaches to skills development
The challenges boards and senior leaders face in adopting AI - and why it’s both an opportunity and a disruption
Practical ways organisations can assess skills gaps using data and evidence, not guesswork
The rise of personalised, just-in-time learning, and how AI enables training to match individual needs and business priorities
Balancing digital skills with critical human capabilities such as creativity, judgment, and collaboration
The importance of culture and planned investment in upskilling everyone, not just leaders, through the transition to more AI-driven roles
Whether you’re working to strengthen skills mapping, refine your learning strategy, or measure the impact of training, this episode brings you actionable insights and honest perspectives from a leader who has sat at the boardroom and on the front lines of workforce development.
Our goal is to help you make smarter skill decisions and prepare your teams for whatever comes next.
We’re excited to bring you these conversations. Welcome to When Skills Matter.
About The PodcastThe When Skills Matter podcast is where forward-thinking HR, L&D, and business leaders come together to share practical ideas and fresh perspectives on workforce development, learning, and performance.
Hosted by Robin Adda, founder and CEO of SkillsAssess, the show dives into real-world strategies for closing skills gaps, developing leaders, aligning HR and L&D with business priorities, and making smarter people decisions that drive measurable impact.
You’ll hear from experienced practitioners and innovators as they explore what’s working, what’s not, and how to navigate the challenges of change, digital disruption, and the evolving world of work.
Whether you’re focused on skills mapping, learning strategy, or talent development, this podcast will give you valuable insights you can use right away.
About SkillsAssessBy providing comprehensive data analytics, SkillsAssess shows where skills gaps are within organisations by department, job role and individual, providing recommendations for learners to upskill only where needed.
Powered by AI, this new tool is designed to aid organisations in any field to pinpoint skill gaps and increase productivity in a quick and scaleable manner.
Using an intuitive dashboard principally designed for HR and L&D managers and administrators, all the data including full analytics is contained and accessed in one place to make the task of staff upskilling quicker, simpler and easier to carry out.
Learn more at www.SkillsAssess.ai.
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In this conversation, we focus on a pressing question for HR, L&D, and business leaders: why are current skills strategies falling behind, and what does this mean for business performance?
Our guests are Perry Timms, a leading voice on progressive HR and organisational transformation, and Nebel Crowhurst, a senior people executive with firsthand insight into how workforce expectations and skills needs are changing.
Hosted by Robin Adda, the discussion explores the root causes behind lagging skills strategies and shares practical ideas for building a more agile, future-ready workforce.
Together, we discuss what needs to shift in the way organisations structure, develop, and support skills—from the frameworks we use, to the technologies we embrace, to the cultural changes driving new approaches to work.
We discuss:
How traditional education and skills models no longer fit today’s longer, more varied career journeys
The confusion between competencies, skills, and capabilities, and why clarity in these areas is essential for progress
Why measuring proficiency and impact matters more than simply tracking productivity
How AI can support, not replace, human judgement in learning and workforce development
The impact of technology on work-life blend, and how changing expectations shape new models for working and learning
What needs to change in organisational infrastructure to keep up with shifting skills demands and longer working lives
Whether you are grappling with how to identify skills gaps, improve learning impact, or prepare your workforce for a changing future, this episode provides clear, practical insights you can apply right away.
We’re excited to bring you these conversations. Welcome to When Skills Matter.
About The PodcastThe When Skills Matter podcast is where forward-thinking HR, L&D, and business leaders come together to share practical ideas and fresh perspectives on workforce development, learning, and performance.
Hosted by Robin Adda, founder and CEO of SkillsAssess, the show dives into real-world strategies for closing skills gaps, developing leaders, aligning HR and L&D with business priorities, and making smarter people decisions that drive measurable impact.
You’ll hear from experienced practitioners and innovators as they explore what’s working, what’s not, and how to navigate the challenges of change, digital disruption, and the evolving world of work.
Whether you’re focused on skills mapping, learning strategy, or talent development, this podcast will give you valuable insights you can use right away.
About SkillsAssessBy providing comprehensive data analytics, SkillsAssess shows where skills gaps are within organisations by department, job role and individual, providing recommendations for learners to upskill only where needed.
Powered by AI, this new tool is designed to aid organisations in any field to pinpoint skill gaps and increase productivity in a quick and scaleable manner.
Using an intuitive dashboard principally designed for HR and L&D managers and administrators, all the data including full analytics is contained and accessed in one place to make the task of staff upskilling quicker, simpler and easier to carry out.
Learn more at www.SkillsAssess.ai.
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Welcome to this episode of When Skills Matter.
In this conversation, we sit down with Nebel Crowhurst, a fractional Chief People Officer, board advisor, investor, and international speaker who brings decades of experience helping businesses align people strategy with overall organisational goals. Nebel’s practical approach and deep HR perspective make her insights particularly valuable for anyone focused on workforce development and skills strategy.
Together, host Robin Adda and Nebel explore how taking a skills-based approach to people strategy is essential for not only closing workforce gaps but also helping businesses adapt to rapid change and set themselves up for long-term success.
Nebel offers her first-hand experience working with high-growth companies, discussing how HR leaders can move from a reactive posture to a more strategic, evidence-based way of planning, resourcing, and upskilling teams.
They discuss:
Why HR professionals are rethinking their roles and the challenges driving change in the field
How business agility and strategic skills mapping support organisational growth and adaptability
Practical strategies for involving HR in early-stage, business-critical conversations
The importance of personalised learning pathways over one-size-fits-all approaches
The growing impact of AI on HR, learning, and skills assessment—and how to use new technologies responsibly
How to start small, use data to prioritise, and iterate workforce planning for meaningful results
Advice for HR and L&D leaders looking to place skills at the centre of their people strategy
Our goal with this podcast is to share actionable insights and real experiences from those shaping workforce development. Whether you work in HR, L&D, Talent, or business leadership, you’ll find ideas here to help you make measurable impact with your people and your skills strategy.
We’re excited to bring you these conversations. Welcome to When Skills Matter.
About The PodcastThe When Skills Matter podcast is where forward-thinking HR, L&D, and business leaders come together to share practical ideas and fresh perspectives on workforce development, learning, and performance.
Hosted by Robin Adda, founder and CEO of SkillsAssess, the show dives into real-world strategies for closing skills gaps, developing leaders, aligning HR and L&D with business priorities, and making smarter people decisions that drive measurable impact.
You’ll hear from experienced practitioners and innovators as they explore what’s working, what’s not, and how to navigate the challenges of change, digital disruption, and the evolving world of work.
Whether you’re focused on skills mapping, learning strategy, or talent development, this podcast will give you valuable insights you can use right away.
About SkillsAssessBy providing comprehensive data analytics, SkillsAssess shows where skills gaps are within organisations by department, job role and individual, providing recommendations for learners to upskill only where needed.
Powered by AI, this new tool is designed to aid organisations in any field to pinpoint skill gaps and increase productivity in a quick and scaleable manner.
Using an intuitive dashboard principally designed for HR and L&D managers and administrators, all the data including full analytics is contained and accessed in one place to make the task of staff upskilling quicker, simpler and easier to carry out.
Learn more at www.SkillsAssess.ai.
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Welcome to this episode of When Skills Matter.
In today’s conversation, we’re joined by Natal Dank, Executive Director and Principal Consultant at PXO Culture, and a recognized leader in the global Agile HR movement. Natal’s work focuses on helping organizations build adaptability, develop future-ready skills, and use evidence-based approaches to drive real outcomes in HR, learning, and people strategy.
Together, we explore how agility isn’t just a buzzword, but a truly practical approach for HR and L&D teams who want to keep pace with rapid change and deliver lasting value. Natal shares actionable insights from her book, Agile L&D, and offers a clear perspective on what it takes to align learning and skills development with actual business priorities.
We discuss:
The five core principles of Agile L&D—and how they help teams continuously upskill and reskill workforces
Why starting with the business challenge, not just a list of skills, leads to better outcomes
How skills mapping, T-shaped skills, and practical assessments can uncover real capability gaps
The increasing role of AI, automation, and agentic technologies—and what that means for workforce planning
Why evidence-based, incremental learning programs get better results than traditional big-bang training approaches
The growing importance of “transversal” skills like adaptability, critical thinking, and communication—alongside digital capabilities
How HR and L&D leaders can build more elastic, resilient organizations by focusing on learning agility and continuous experimentation
Challenges of keeping skills frameworks, inventories, and learning programs up to date as technology and job requirements shift
Our aim with this episode is to give you grounded, practical ideas for making learning more relevant, targeted, and impactful. Whether you’re shaping L&D strategy, redesigning job roles, or simply trying to future-proof your teams, you’ll find plenty of takeaways for your own organization.
We’re excited to bring you these conversations. Welcome to When Skills Matter.
About The PodcastThe When Skills Matter podcast is where forward-thinking HR, L&D, and business leaders come together to share practical ideas and fresh perspectives on workforce development, learning, and performance.
Hosted by Robin Adda, founder and CEO of SkillsAssess, the show dives into real-world strategies for closing skills gaps, developing leaders, aligning HR and L&D with business priorities, and making smarter people decisions that drive measurable impact.
You’ll hear from experienced practitioners and innovators as they explore what’s working, what’s not, and how to navigate the challenges of change, digital disruption, and the evolving world of work.
Whether you’re focused on skills mapping, learning strategy, or talent development, this podcast will give you valuable insights you can use right away.
About SkillsAssessBy providing comprehensive data analytics, SkillsAssess shows where skills gaps are within organisations by department, job role and individual, providing recommendations for learners to upskill only where needed.
Powered by AI, this new tool is designed to aid organisations in any field to pinpoint skill gaps and increase productivity in a quick and scaleable manner.
Using an intuitive dashboard principally designed for HR and L&D managers and administrators, all the data including full analytics is contained and accessed in one place to make the task of staff upskilling quicker, simpler and easier to carry out.
Learn more at www.SkillsAssess.ai.
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In this episode of When Skills Matter, Robin speaks with Carolyn Shepherd, Founder of Emmeline.AI and the AI Learning Lobby, about the human skills that matter most as AI reshapes the workplace.
Carolyn shares her “river” metaphor for navigating change, why adaptability and critical thinking are more valuable than ever, and how HR and L&D leaders can support their people through AI transformation.
From lived experience to new technical capabilities, Carolyn explains why organizations need to focus on building both human and AI-ready skills if they want their workforce to thrive.
About The PodcastThe When Skills Matter podcast is where forward-thinking HR, L&D, and business leaders come together to share practical ideas and fresh perspectives on workforce development, learning, and performance.
Hosted by Robin Adda, founder and CEO of SkillsAssess, the show dives into real-world strategies for closing skills gaps, developing leaders, aligning HR and L&D with business priorities, and making smarter people decisions that drive measurable impact.
You’ll hear from experienced practitioners and innovators as they explore what’s working, what’s not, and how to navigate the challenges of change, digital disruption, and the evolving world of work.
Whether you’re focused on skills mapping, learning strategy, or talent development, this podcast will give you valuable insights you can use right away.
About SkillsAssessBy providing comprehensive data analytics, SkillsAssess shows where skills gaps are within organisations by department, job role and individual, providing recommendations for learners to upskill only where needed.
Powered by Ai, this new tool is designed to aid organisations in any field to pinpoint skill gaps and increase productivity in a quick and scaleable manner.
Using an intuitive dashboard principally designed for HR and L&D managers and administrators, all the data including full analytics is contained and accessed in one place to make the task of staff upskilling quicker, simpler and easier to carry out.
Learn more at www.SkillsAssess.ai.
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In this episode of When Skills Matter, Robin is joined by Paul Morgan, a seasoned L&D leader with three decades of experience at Microsoft, Diageo, O2, and more.
Paul shares candid insights on how HR and learning leaders can close skills gaps without overwhelming employees, why productivity and focus are at the heart of capability building, and how AI should be seen as an enabler rather than a replacement.
From the attention economy to skills shortages, Paul explains how organizations can reclaim time, upskill effectively, and create resilient teams in the AI era.
About The PodcastThe When Skills Matter podcast is where forward-thinking HR, L&D, and business leaders come together to share practical ideas and fresh perspectives on workforce development, learning, and performance.
Hosted by Robin Adda, founder and CEO of SkillsAssess, the show dives into real-world strategies for closing skills gaps, developing leaders, aligning HR and L&D with business priorities, and making smarter people decisions that drive measurable impact.
You’ll hear from experienced practitioners and innovators as they explore what’s working, what’s not, and how to navigate the challenges of change, digital disruption, and the evolving world of work.
Whether you’re focused on skills mapping, learning strategy, or talent development, this podcast will give you valuable insights you can use right away.
About SkillsAssessBy providing comprehensive data analytics, SkillsAssess shows where skills gaps are within organisations by department, job role and individual, providing recommendations for learners to upskill only where needed.
Powered by Ai, this new tool is designed to aid organisations in any field to pinpoint skill gaps and increase productivity in a quick and scaleable manner.
Using an intuitive dashboard principally designed for HR and L&D managers and administrators, all the data including full analytics is contained and accessed in one place to make the task of staff upskilling quicker, simpler and easier to carry out.
Learn more at www.SkillsAssess.ai.
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Welcome to the When Skills Matter Podcast! In this opening episode, Robin introduces the show, shares what listeners can expect in upcoming episodes, and explains why now is the time to rethink how we approach skills, learning, and workforce development.
You’ll hear about the kinds of guests and topics that will feature on the show, from AI in L&D to closing skills gaps, aligning people strategy with business goals, and unlocking the full potential of your teams.
Robin also gives a quick overview of what SkillsAssess does and how it supports smarter people decisions using AI-powered skills mapping and personalised learning pathways.
Learn more at SkillsAssess.ai/podcast.
About SkillsAssessBy providing comprehensive data analytics, SkillsAssess shows where skills gaps are within organisations by department, job role and individual, providing recommendations for learners to upskill only where needed.
Powered by Ai, this new tool is designed to aid organisations in any field to pinpoint skill gaps and increase productivity in a quick and scaleable manner.
Using an intuitive dashboard principally designed for HR and L&D managers and administrators, all the data including full analytics is contained and accessed in one place to make the task of staff upskilling quicker, simpler and easier to carry out.
Learn more at www.SkillsAssess.ai.
