Magazine
The quiet shift from training to capability
Why completion rates are losing relevance and what capability-led learning looks like.
Why completion rates are losing relevance
For years, learning success was measured by attendance, completion, and time spent. Those metrics are now increasingly disconnected from performance. Teams can complete training without becoming more capable, and leaders are starting to recognise the gap.
What capability-led learning looks like
Capability-led learning focuses on outcomes rather than activity. Instead of asking “Did they finish the course?”, the question becomes “Can they do the work better?” Skills are broken into practical stages, learning is applied immediately, and progress becomes visible through behaviour and decision-making.
Modern learning is judged by what changes on the job, not what was completed in a learning portal.
Why this matters now
Hybrid work, automation, and AI have reduced tolerance for slow or abstract learning. Organisations need people to adapt quickly, safely, and with confidence. Capability-led pathways create momentum by making learning short, repeatable, and directly connected to work.
The role of managers
Managers are active participants in capability building. When learning evidence is clear and manager-safe, development conversations improve and learning sticks.