Boost Employee Retention With These 3 Data-Backed Learning and Development Strategies

Amid the transformative wave of the Great Resignation, organizations are recognizing that retention hinges on more than just compensation—it’s deeply tied to career growth and meaningful development opportunities. According to the 2021 American Upskilling Study by Amazon and Gallup, 57% of surveyed adults expressed a desire to learn new skills to advance their careers, underscoring the demand for robust learning and development (L&D) programs. Moreover, Gallup’s research on employee retention and attraction trends found that 41% of employees who left their roles pointed to a lack of “engagement and culture” as a factor, often driven by limited advancement and development options.

In response, leading organizations are making strategic investments in L&D to meet this demand and foster a culture of growth and innovation. In this blog, we’ll dive into three data-backed L&D strategies designed to empower employees with better work-life balance, build engagement, and boost retention. Discover how implementing these strategies can help your organization thrive by unlocking the full potential of your workforce.

Utilize flexibility to answer the call for more work-life balance

In 2023, 62% of workers identified work-life balance as the top attribute they sought in a new job. With a third of workers working remotely or in hybrid work environments in 2024, employers can leverage a variety of flexible L&D opportunities to meet employees where they are.

Synchronous and asynchronous training

Providing a mix of live and pre-recorded training opportunities can help employees close skills gaps by utilizing on-demand, flexible learning as well as supporting interactive and engaging upskilling events. With more and more of the workforce tapping into hybrid meeting opportunities, a significant 87% say good technology is vital to successful synchronous virtual training. Nearly three out of four people say they’ve lost time due to technical issues in virtual environments. About the same amount say that less dynamic meeting technology prevents meaningful interactions and engagement with colleagues on the call.

Engagement in a virtual environment

Just like any presentation, virtual L&D can be as engaging as in-person gatherings if engagement is woven into the delivery. In addition to promoting flexibility among employees, virtual learning can take many forms, including live workshops, Q&A sessions, peer collaborations, and networking opportunities.

The investment in flexible and dynamic synchronous learning and engagement can pay off. According to a study by Workhuman and Gallup, employees who believe their organization supports their upskilling are more than eight times as likely to see a career path within their current organization, and 47% are less likely to be actively job searching.

Tailor learning and development for more personalized pathways

Personalized upskilling is increasingly proving to be a critical factor in effective learning and development, moving beyond traditional, one-size-fits-all training sessions that may lack relevance for many employees. By shifting to more tailored L&D opportunities, companies can drive meaningful engagement and support career progression, directly impacting retention rates. By allowing employees autonomy over their career paths and learning options, organizations can enhance a sense of ownership and satisfaction for individuals, creating a more motivated and committed workforce.

Building personalized learning opportunities can be as simple as asking employees what type of training they need. Surveying staff or asking managers to identify skill gaps can help L&D take shape.

Virtual synchronous learning offers a solution by providing personalized, real-time coaching and feedback at scale. This approach combines the convenience of online training with the tailored feedback of in-person instruction, allowing employees to apply learned skills to their unique roles. The benefits of such personalization are backed by data: Amazon and Gallup reported that 71% of workers who participated in upskilling programs reported higher job satisfaction, suggesting a direct correlation between tailored development opportunities and job satisfaction. However, the study also found disparities, with higher-skilled workers significantly more likely to access L&D programs than those in lower-skilled roles—a gap that companies can close by offering equitable, individualized training pathways for employees at all levels.

Find alignment between learning and development and organizational goals

Aligning L&D with broader organizational goals is crucial to creating an engaged and purposeful workforce. When employees see that their growth is encouraged and strategically tied to the company’s mission, they’re more likely to feel invested in both their role and the organization’s success. Research from LinkedIn’s 2023 Workplace Learning Report shows that 93% of organizations agree that a well-aligned L&D program is essential for employee engagement and retention. Employees who understand how their contributions support company-wide objectives are more motivated, fostering a culture where personal achievement is directly linked to organizational outcomes.

This sense of alignment goes beyond skill-building, impacting how employees view their place in the company. Studies indicate that employees who understand how their development aligns with the organization’s mission report a stronger sense of purpose and job satisfaction, both of which are crucial for long-term retention. Gallup’s State of the Global Workplace report found that employees with a strong sense of purpose are 2.3 times more likely to stay with their current employer. By connecting L&D efforts to specific company goals—whether that’s improved customer satisfaction, innovation, or increased efficiency—companies empower their teams to see the impact of their growth beyond their immediate roles, creating a lasting commitment to the organization’s mission.

Empowering retention through purposeful learning

As employers seek more “skilled” workers, strategic and meaningful L&D is projected to be a critical factor in driving employee retention. Virtual training programs are effective tools for aligning upskilling and organizational outcomes at scale while allowing consistent messaging and tailored learning across diverse teams. These programs enable organizations to roll out initiatives that reinforce alignment with core goals, even in decentralized or remote workplaces. By embedding the organization’s mission into virtual learning experiences, companies ensure that employees from all locations and levels stay connected to shared goals, creating a unified, mission-driven culture that promotes both individual and collective success.

Ready to learn how Class can help your L&D team boost employee retention at your organization? Reach out to a Class team member today.