Navigating a Shifting L&D Jobs Market with Nick Jones

In this episode of The Learning & Development Podcast, David James is joined by Nick Jones of Blue Eskimo to discuss the state of the industry following the launch of the 2026 Blue Eskimo Work & Salary Report. Nick dives into the current market reality, exploring what is actually happening on the ground and how global shifts are impacting the jobs market.

The conversation addresses the significant rise in redundancies and identifies which specific roles are being hit hardest as organisations restructure. They look at the disconnect between "strategic" job descriptions and the "hands-on" reality of recruitment, while tackling the question of whether AI is truly replacing jobs or simply forcing the profession to evolve. They look into why many L&D professionals are currently finding themselves unprepared for the job market, the increasing importance of personal branding, and the specific skills needed to remain accountable and valued in 2026.

Take your L&D to the next level

Take advantage of thousands of hours of analysis. Hundreds of conversations with industry innovators and 25+ years of hands-on global L&D leadership.

It's all distilled into one framework to help you level up L&D. Access the L&D Maturity Model here - https://360learning.com/maturity-model

KEY TAKEAWAYS

AI, budget cuts, and team bloat correction have had an impact. Globally, redundancies are high - but there are signs of recovery.

Now, your personal brand really matters.

Showcase the fact you operate as a commercial partner and impact the bottom line.

Make it easy for hiring managers and stakeholders to understand the value you create and the problems you solve.

Treat your CV and profile as live sales tools: show the strategic impact you’ve had, not just tasks you’ve completed.

Stay ready, continually refresh them - so opportunities find you before you need them. - Nick explains exactly how to do this.