The Learning and Development skills everyone is Googling in 2026 

As businesses across the UK continue to navigate rapid technological change, a widening skills gap and increasingly competitive markets, learning and development (L&D) has evolved from a “nice to have” HR offering to a priority for operations. 

Google search data and industry trend reports have already pointed to the areas of focus for business leaders this year. These searches reflect not just the topics people want to learn about, but the skills that organisations are seeking to future-proof their workforce.

1. AI courses
It comes as no surprise that curiosity surrounding AI continues to be widespread as learners and employers seek to utilise new platforms in the workplace. As such, foundational training into skills like prompt design and applied AI is soaring. 

If you too have found an increasing curiosity of AI training, ALS’s BCS Essentials Certificate in Artificial Intelligence provides learners with a structured foundation in AI concepts and applications and is ideal for professionals looking to build credible, certified knowledge in this ever-developing field.

2. Upskilling and reskilling
Anyone currently looking for work can attest to the job market’s challenging and highly competitive landscape at the moment. This may be a reason why searches for upskilling and reskilling remain strong, with workers looking to get ahead of the competition with a new suite of skills or even retraining into an entirely different field.

It’s not just individuals who are contributing to these numbers though, organisations are investing in training programmes that help employees learn new skills or move seamlessly into different roles. This culture of developing from within rather than hiring new talent is something we’ve seen more of in recent years as organisations look to avoid the hassle and rising costs of new hires. 

3. Leadership development
A consequence of nurturing talent within an organisation rather than hiring is the rise of accidental managers. These are employees who have risen to leadership positions due to their knowledge and skills in their field rather than their people management skills. As such, formal leadership training is becoming more sought after, equipping these talented managers with the soft skills needed to thrive in their roles.

ACT has seen increased popularity in its range of ILM-accredited management qualifications. These courses are designed to help both emerging and established leaders grow their capabilities. Learners have shared that these qualifications provide recognised credentials that back up their experience and improve performance.

4. Microlearning tools
With an endless wealth of knowledge always at our fingertips, it can often feel like information overload. It’s no wonder then, that many people are looking to ‘microlearning’ to consume information in bite-sized chunks. 

With work time at a premium and attention spans shorter, professionals increasingly turn to short, focused modules or resources that fit around the workday. This can be in the form of a video, a professional thinkpiece or a podcast. Training providers are aware that learning trends have changed, and that more and more learners are looking to consume information this way. 

ACT offers a number of learner resources with microlearning in mind. If you’re looking for a short, informative podcast to boost your CPD hours, you can find the Little Big Actions podcast. Each episode tackles a topical theme affecting businesses, such as digital trends or Net Zero. The episodes are 20 minutes or shorter so perfect as an introduction to microlearning.

5. Personalised learning paths

Finally, personalised learning paths have already ranked high in 2026 as learners seek training that adapts to their unique roles, experience levels and aspirations. Organisations are also looking to tailor programmes based on performance, preferences and career goals. This shift from “one-size-fits-all” to customised journeys is reshaping how learning and development is done within organisations. 

If you’re looking to improve your organisation’s learning and development programme, ACT offers a wide range of upskilling pathways, whether it’s to improve digital competency, polish soft skills or gain further knowledge in a role-specific niche.