EMPLOYEE EXPERIENCE
Learning rewards As roles evolve, CHROs must link their reward schemes directly to this need for upskilling. Learning rewards, where employees earn points or badges for mastering new AI tools or soft skills, are becoming a core retention strategy. The WEF projects that 39 % of workers’ core skills will change by 2030. In response, upskilling the workforce has emerged as the most common workforce strategy, with 85 % of surveyed employers planning to adopt this approach.
Yet, there is a massive disconnect in how this learning is incentivised.
Gallup says that only 14 % of employees say learning a new skill is one of the most common reasons people receive recognition at their organisation. This is a critical missed opportunity. When the learning of a new skill is commonly recognised in a workplace, employees are 75 % more likely to strongly agree their organisation encourages them to learn new skills.
By formally recognising and rewarding the acquisition of new skills, CHROs can align their compensation strategies with the future of work and build a culture that values both human connection and continuous growth.
96 April 2026