There’s a reason employee learning and development (L&D) is having a moment — make that several reasons. We’re using artificial intelligence (AI) more and more at work, critical skills gaps keep widening, laws and regulations are changing, employees’ priorities are shifting, and job markets are volatile. L&D is taking the spotlight as the most effective response to these conditions, which means it’s time to brush up on your knowledge.
Dig into our HR reading list this summer to stay on top of the demand and keep up with L&D best practices. Learn why structured training and personalized learning experiences are so important, how AI is helping companies deliver top-notch L&D programs, and more.
Whether you’re diving into L&D for the first time or refreshing your approach, these must-reads and resources will help you stay ahead of the curve.
1. Blog Post: The Importance of Training and Development
Why are employee training and development still some of the most powerful tools in your HR toolkit? This must-read blog post breaks down the difference between training your employees and supporting their career development. Supported by compelling stats and actionable insights, you’ll discover how training and development can drive retention, productivity, and long-term business growth. It’s a practical, research-backed reminder that investing in your people is one of the best ways to future-proof your workforce — especially as AI and automation continue to reshape jobs.
Whether you’re building a new learning program or looking to breathe life into an existing one, this article offers smart strategies for aligning L&D with company goals, mapping training to every stage of the employee lifecycle, and making the most of your learning management system (LMS). Get inspired to reimagine employee development with this quick but impactful read.
2. Blog Post: 6 Use Cases for AI in Learning and Development
Looking for a forward-thinking read this summer? Check out our blog post, “6 Use Cases for AI in Learning and Development,” a must for any HR leader eager to elevate their L&D game. It dives deep into how an AI-powered LMS can transform learning, from dynamically adapting training to individual learners to automating routine admin tasks. It can even predict skill gaps before they start affecting your business.
The article shares concrete, practical use cases that bring AI down to earth — no fluff, just insight. Whether you're piloting AI tools or planning a full-scale rollout of an AI-powered LMS, this post lays out a clear roadmap with advice for best practices across goal-setting, how to mitigate bias, data privacy, and human–AI collaboration.
It encourages a balanced, strategic approach to adopting AI — start small, scale thoughtfully, and create a culture of learning that empowers your people as much as it drives business outcomes. Perfectly timed for L&D pros and HR teams looking to stay ahead, this smart, actionable post will leave you inspired — and equipped — with ideas to bring AI-driven learning to life in your organization.
3. Blog Post: 10 Must-Track Learning and Development KPIs
Want to make your L&D strategy truly count? Our post, “10 Must‑Track Learning and Development KPIs,” offers insights you can actually use, breaking down the key metrics every HR and L&D leader needs in their toolkit. We explain each KPI, from course completion and knowledge retention to promotion rates and ROI, so you understand not just what to measure, but why it matters.
The post shows how these metrics transform learning from a checkbox exercise into an integral part of the employee experience, fueling better performance and business success.
This isn’t just a theory. We’re offering real-world advice on how to measure these KPIs — whether you’re tracking time-to-competency, learner feedback, or turnover post-training — and use that data to optimize your programs. It equips HR teams to build learning initiatives that are both engaging and measurable. Upgrade your summer reading with strategies that elevate L&D from good to game-changing.
4. Guide: The L&D Playbook for HR
Looking for a standout resource this summer? The L&D Playbook from ClearCompany is a strategic toolkit that demonstrates how to make L&D the center of your talent management strategy. With telling stats — like the fact that 74% of employees feel they’re not reaching their full potential due to a lack of learning opportunities — this playbook shows you how integrating learning at every stage of the employee journey boosts engagement, retention, and business performance.
In the playbook, you’ll find high-impact tips and frameworks to infuse learning into onboarding, performance development, career progression, and beyond. Beyond theory, the playbook delivers real-world strategies that you can implement immediately, even without new software.
You’ll learn to align L&D initiatives with HR goals, measure their impact, and drive measurable ROI. This guide helps you understand how to position learning not just as a perk, but as a powerful driver of organizational success.
Get the guide and get inspired to elevate your L&D approach and truly power your people strategy.
5. Templates: L&D AI Prompt Templates for HR
Looking to supercharge your L&D strategy with AI this summer? You need “7 AI Prompts for Employee Learning Success.” This resource is designed for HR and L&D professionals facing today’s skills crisis, delivering prompt templates you can tailor to fit your needs. These prompts are aimed at helping you shift from reactive training to proactive skill development, create personalized learning tracks tied to business priorities, and launch programs faster without wasting time or resources.
What sets this resource apart is its balance between speed and substance. You get access to plug‑and‑play AI prompt structures along with bonus “Tailoring Tips” that help you get highly customized outputs from your AI tools.
Whether you're scaling intelligent learning paths or embedding AI into your LMS workflows, this resource offers clear direction for real-world implementation. It’s a thoughtful, future-ready asset that will genuinely help elevate your company culture of learning this season.
Grab your L&D AI Prompt Templates and get ready to hit the ground running.
6. Book: Artificial Intelligence for HR by Ben Eubanks
Are you committed to maintaining an ethical, people-first workplace in the age of AI transformation? Don’t miss the latest from Ben Eubanks, Chief Research Officer at Lighthouse Research & Advisory (and friend of ClearCompany!). His book, Artificial Intelligence for HR, is the world’s first book dedicated to AI applications in hiring, training, and engagement.
First published in 2018 and now in its second edition, this book breaks down real-world use cases, addresses AI bias, and offers a roadmap for integrating intelligent tools into your people strategy. Whether you’re an HR leader, L&D professional, or executive, you’ll find it packed with pragmatic insights and case studies used by universities and global organizations alike.
Eubanks takes a human‑centered approach throughout, emphasizing that AI should augment, not replace, our connection to employees. He explores the tension between automation and empathy, sharing how HR can guide AI implementations responsibly while maintaining trust and fairness. It’s a thoughtfully researched, action-ready guide that will help you bring AI into your talent strategies with confidence and care.
Soak Up the Sun — And Some HR Strategy
Grab your go-to iced coffee or tea, find a shady spot, and check off your HR summer reading list! Whether you're diving into AI-powered learning, refreshing your L&D KPIs, or exploring how training impacts performance, these great reads are designed to inspire strategic thinking and stronger people practices. Dive into a blog, download a resource, and share the list with your team.
Ready to turn ideas into action? Explore how ClearCompany Learning can bring your L&D goals to life. Book a demo to see our AI-powered LMS in action.
