[Reports & eBooks](/reports) 10 min read # The Weight of Development: Why Building Workforce Capability Needs a New Approach We surveyed 1,000 employees and managers to find out where employee development is breaking down, and what a better model looks like. Published on February 24, 2026Last updated on June 04, 2026 Written by ![Go1 Content & Editorial Team](https://images.prismic.io/go1-com/Z6MNaZbqstJ9-PJA_CleanShot2025-02-05at09.03.52%402x.png?auto=format%2Ccompress&fit=max&w=1920) Go1 Content & Editorial Team ![The Weight of Development: Why Building Workforce Capability Needs a New Approach](https://images.prismic.io/go1-com/aZfa5MFoBIGEglTa_weight-of-dev-cover-1-.png?auto=format%2Ccompress&fit=max&w=3840) ![](https://images.prismic.io/go1-com/ah6gRAeQX7-eWiSm_Frame2087327822.png?auto=format%2Ccompress&fit=max&w=3840) ## Download the full report 85% of managers want development support that fits into how they already work. Get the research that shows you exactly how to do that. [Download](https://go1-com.cdn.prismic.io/go1-com/aZfbisFoBIGEglTf%5FTheWeightofDevelopmpent.pdf) ## **Employee development is HR's responsibility.** ## **Right now, it's not working.** Nearly half of employees need development support multiple times a month. Only 7% turn to the learning system built for them. That gap comes down to one thing: how your learning systems deliver content to your people. This report draws on surveys of 700 employees and 300 managers across the US, UK, and Australia. Here's what needs to change, and what HR leaders can do about it. ### **What you’ll learn** * **Employees rely on themselves to identify growth opportunities:** Find out why support isn’t reaching them when they need it, and what HR leaders can do to close the gap. * **Development is getting squeezed out due to time constraints:** Learn how to build a model that works around how managers operate. * **83% of employees expect development to show up in their workflow:** Find out why the delivery model is broken, and what a better one looks like. ## **Development has to become _part_ of everyday work, not external to it** This research doesn't ask you to tear everything down. It asks you to look honestly at where your current approach creates friction, and where small changes to delivery could make a big difference in impact. The organizations that will get this right are the ones that make development surface earlier, closer to the work, in ways that align with how managers and employees are already operating. 55.5% of employees say development is most useful when it's directly related to their work. 55.1% say it needs to be relevant to their role. Generic programs ranked far lower. ![](https://images.prismic.io/go1-com/aZfZUMFoBIGEglTJ_Screenshot2026-02-20at2.17.17pm.png?auto=format,compress) ![Stay Ahead in L&D](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.go1static.com%2Fassets%2Fv2026.10.5%2F_next%2Fstatic%2Fmedia%2Fsubscribe.81448f2d.png&w=1920&q=75) ## Stay Ahead in L&D Subscribe to our emails to receive newsletters, product updates, and marketing communications. ## Related Reports [![](https://images.prismic.io/go1-com/LAIEGjssPl-SIG3I_compliance-readiness-card.png?auto=format%2Ccompress&fit=max&w=3840)Reports & eBooksThe Compliance Readiness Curve. Why completion is no longer enough to demonstrate compliance readiness10 minute read](/reports/compliance-readiness-curve)[![](https://images.prismic.io/go1-com/aiLu1AeQX7-eW5ZL_EbookCoverImage1.png?auto=format%2Ccompress&rect=0%2C37%2C3208%2C3680&w=3840&fit=max)Reports & eBooksL&D is more trusted than ever. So why is getting learning technology approved harder?10 minute read](/reports/the-new-buying-committee)[![](https://images.prismic.io/go1-com/aP_ygLpReVYa3uq3_Researchdocplaceholder.png?auto=format%2Ccompress&fit=max&w=3840)Reports & eBooksKeeping Pace: Leading Learning in the Age of AI](/reports/ai-learning-research-report)[![](https://images.prismic.io/go1-com/aB0GsydWJ-7kRxHr_hero_ebook_2.png?auto=format%2Ccompress&fit=max&w=3840)Reports & eBooksThe state of US compliance training in 2025](/reports/the-state-of-us-compliance-training-2025) ## Train smarter, spend less Connect with a Go1 expert to explore the best training options for your organization—no pressure, just solutions that work. [Speak with an expert](/speak-with-an-expert)