The landscape of learning and development (L&D) is evolving rapidly, with a growing emphasis on skills-based hiring, corporate training programs, and instructional design careers. In the first episode of IDOL News, Dr. Robin Sargent, founder of IDOL Courses, IDOL Academy, and IDOL Talent, discussed key industry shifts affecting education, corporate L&D, and instructional designers.

From the decline of degree requirements to the rise of competency-based training, here’s what learning professionals need to know.

The End of the U.S. Department of Education? What It Means for Instructional Designers

One of the most surprising headlines Robin covered was the potential dismantling of the U.S. Department of Education— a proposal that could shift control of education to individual states.

What does this mean for instructional designers? With federal oversight decreasing, skills-based hiring will likely gain momentum. Companies will invest in corporate training programs to bridge education gaps, creating new opportunities for instructional designers to design workforce-ready training solutions.

The Future of Corporate Learning & Development

• More competency-based training programs
• Growth of corporate universities
• Increased demand for instructional design professionals

If federal funding for education declines, companies may invest more in upskilling employees— a boon for corporate trainers and instructional designers.

What do you think? Will this shift benefit L&D professionals? Comment below!

Degrees Are Out, Skills Are In: The Rise of Skills-Based Hiring

The traditional requirement for a four-year degree is fading. California recently removed degree requirements for 30,000 state jobs, reinforcing a nationwide trend toward skills-based hiring.

Why Does This Matter for Learning Professionals?

Employers now prioritize practical skills over degrees, increasing the demand for:

• Corporate training programs focused on job-ready skills
• Microlearning & competency-based education
• Instructional designers specializing in workforce training

Career-focused programs that skip the fluff and teach real, marketable skills will continue to grow. Are you seeing this trend in your field? Share in the comments!

Corporate DEI Initiatives Are Declining—What’s Next for Inclusive Training?

Robin highlighted a major shift: corporations and government agencies are cutting Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives.

What This Means for L&D Professionals

• Many DEI training programs are being scaled back
• Corporate training budgets may shift to other priorities
• Opportunities remain to integrate inclusive learning strategies

This change raises key questions:

• Will inclusive training still be a priority in corporate learning programs?
• How will instructional designers adapt?

We’d love to hear your perspective—drop a comment below!

Should Instructional Design Be in Design Schools Instead of Education Departments?

A LinkedIn post by Jason Braun sparked an interesting debate: Should instructional design be taught in design schools instead of education departments?

The Argument

Instructional design is more about problem-solving, experience design, and business impact than traditional education.

Robin’s Take

• Graphic designers start young, but instructional designers often discover the field later in life
• Moving ID programs into design schools could increase awareness and industry exposure

What’s your take? Should instructional design be treated as a design discipline? Let’s discuss!

Industry Trends: What’s Hot & What’s Fading?

Robin explored a LinkedIn post by Bianca Woods discussing how L&D trends evolve over time.

Example: Gamification

• Once a buzzword, now a standard training tool
• Shifted from a “must-have” to a strategic learning approach

What’s next? Will trends like AI in learning & immersive technology last? Share your predictions in the comments!

The Job Market for Instructional Designers: Competitive or Growing?

Many career changers, especially former teachers, worry that breaking into instructional design is too competitive. Robin addressed this common misconception and provided actionable insights.

Reality Check: Instructional Design is Growing!

• The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a 6% job growth for training and development specialists— faster than average
• Salaries in instructional design have increased 7% over the last five years

Why Some Applicants Struggle to Get Hired

• Outdated job descriptions list irrelevant skills (e.g., Flash, HTML5)
• Weak resumes & lack of tailored applications
• No instructional design portfolio

Robin’s #1 Tip: Build a Portfolio

A strong instructional design portfolio should include:

• eLearning projects
• Instructor-led training samples
• Course blueprints & storyboards
• Case studies demonstrating real-world impact

Want to break into instructional design? Start with IDOL’s FREE "Become an IDOL" Challenge.

Stay Updated with IDOL News!

Robin wrapped up by inviting viewers to submit industry news, LinkedIn discussions, and instructional design trends for future episodes.

Want to contribute? Submit your topic at idolcourses.com/idolnews.

What do you think about these trends? Drop a comment below & let’s discuss!

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