1. Shorter, sharper content: Employers are starting to recognise that less is more in terms of learning material. Fun, engaging content that is straight to the point and delivered in conversational style is more effective, especially for the new generation of employees with shorter attention spans. Short, snappy content achieves the same results, but with less time away from the shop floor.
2. Focus on results: Companies are less worried about certificates and qualifications and more about the outcomes achieved. In some cases, they are exploring alternatives to standard industry courses to find ways to improve efficiency and deliver better results.
3. Learning on the go: Providing material that's accessible via mobiles is particularly important in the age of remote working and allows employees to learn on demand. To use real-life examples from our clients, it means that a manager can swot up on negotiation skills while waiting to go into a meeting, or a plasterer can learn about health and safety on site while waiting for coats to dry.
4. Lower costs: The cost of eLearning is coming down. Companies can enjoy even better value for money with new and innovative pricing models being offered by suppliers. It is a trend that we will be continuing to pursue in 2017.
5. Peer-produced content: Getting key staff to share knowledge is a practice we are likely to see more of in 2017. After all, who better to show the sales team how to generate interest than the leading sales performer who knows the product inside out? However, while peer-produced content will increase, it will work alongside structured learning rather than replace it.
6. Subjects in demand: Companies will increasingly look to update skills rapidly in response to the changing business agenda. Popular subjects currently include information security, driven by the increasing threat of cyber crime and some high-profile breaches of data protection; unconscious bias, in line with the continued focus on diversity; and managing virtual teams.

With continued disruption from new technologies and uncertainty over Brexit, dealing with stress is another key issue. Mindfulness is a skill we could all use in 2017.