When Skills Matter

Episode 14: What HR Leaders Need To Consider Before Proposing New AI Initiatives (Panel Discussion)

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 Podcast The 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 SkillsAssess By 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 [https://www.skillsassess.ai/]. We’re excited to bring you these conversations. Welcome to When Skills Matter [https://skillsassess.ai/news/podcast/].

Episode 13: Managing Skills in a Fast-Changing World - with Valerie Merrill

Welcome to this episode of When Skills Matter. In this conversation, we’re joined by Valerie Merrill [https://www.linkedin.com/in/merrillvalerie/], founder of Merrill Consultants International [https://www.merrillconsultants.com/] 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 workplaces * The need for a calm, strategic approach to AI, and practical ways to assess and integrate new technologies * How to move beyond guesswork and use data to diagnose skill gaps and training needs * The importance of psychological safety, trust, and adaptability for effective leadership in remote and hybrid teams * Why personalized and adaptive learning pathways lead to greater engagement and impact * Ways to plan for the future by understanding workforce capabilities and staying agile in the face of change This 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 Podcast The 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 SkillsAssess By 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 [https://www.skillsassess.ai/]. We’re excited to bring you these conversations. Welcome to When Skills Matter [https://skillsassess.ai/news/podcast/].

Episode 12: Making Learning and Upskilling More Effective and Inclusive - with Jonty Rooke

Welcome to this episode of When Skills Matter. In this conversation, we welcome Jonty Rooke [https://www.linkedin.com/in/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 [https://www.myiep.uk/how-we-support-you/] 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 employment * The vital role of inclusive hiring and support for those with disabilities and mental health challenges * Why employers need to make work more attractive and purposeful, especially for younger people * How skills assessment, targeted upskilling, and data-driven approaches create more effective workforce development * The impact of tech and AI on the hiring process, and the need to bring more humanity back into recruitment * Why investing in skills development—in both new hires and existing staff—drives long-term organisational capability * The importance of coaching, mentoring, and management training for sustained productivity * Practical ideas for rethinking CVs, interviews, and onboarding, inspired by real employer examples * What frontline employability professionals and programme leaders are learning about success and resilience in today’s labour market Our 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 Podcast The 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 SkillsAssess By 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 [https://www.skillsassess.ai/]. We’re excited to bring you these conversations. Welcome to When Skills Matter [https://skillsassess.ai/news/podcast/].

Episode 11: How To Align HR and L&D with Leadership Priorities (Panel Discussion)

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 Podcast The 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 SkillsAssess By 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 [https://www.skillsassess.ai/]. We’re excited to bring you these conversations. Welcome to When Skills Matter [https://skillsassess.ai/news/podcast/].

Episode 10: Preparing for an AI-Driven Workplace - with Neil C. Hughes

Welcome to this episode of When Skills Matter. In this conversation, we flip things around as Robins joins Neil C. Hughes [https://www.linkedin.com/in/neilchughes/], 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 [https://skillsassess.ai/news/podcast/]. About The Podcast The 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 SkillsAssess By 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 [https://skillsassess.ai/].