Research from learning platform 360Learning found that 42% of those working in L&D in the UK didn't receive a pay rise in the last 12 months, while more than half (54%) didn't feel comfortable asking for one despite the rise in inflation and the cost of living.
Of those who did receive pay rises, 52% were below the rate of inflation and 45% were between 1% and 3% – equating to half the rate of inflation.
As a result, nearly a quarter (22%) of those surveyed said they were considering leaving the L&D sector.
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Nick Hernandez, founder and CEO at 360Learning, suggested that the right support could help retain people in the profession.
He told HR magazine: “Learning and development teams are business-critical - they help employees grow and thrive in their roles, which has a demonstrable impact on a business’s bottom line.
"But it’s clear from our surveys that not all L&D professionals feel supported at work and that there are frequent roadblocks to their professional development which could lead people to leaving the sector in the future."
Training for L&D professionals could certainly help, he suggested: "By providing people with on-the-job training, mentorship and support, L&D professionals will have the tools they need to upskill from within and achieve their career development goals.”
The average salary for L&D professionals in the UK is £31,285. A third of women surveyed (33%) earned below the threshold, compared to 20% for men.
Only 25% of women said that they earned more than £40,000, compared to 41% for their male counterparts.
Agata Nowakowska, assistant vice president EMEA at technology company Skillsoft, said companies should help women connect with each other to aid their progression.
Speaking to HR magazine, she said: “Organisations should appreciate that women want the opportunity to learn and develop in their jobs.
“Mentoring schemes and networking opportunities can supplement professional development opportunities by offering employees the opportunity to connect with other women as they move along their career journey - making progressing in such a male dominated industry much less daunting.”
360Learning surveyed 1,010 UK workers during February 2022.
