What is a learning need?

A learning need is a gap in the skills, knowledge or ability of an individual or organisation.

Learning needs are generally considered on two levels:

1. •

   the needs of the individual

2. •

   the needs of the organisation

Like any other business investment, learning should be planned, prioritised, targeted and managed to ensure the best possible return on the investment. It is vital that the learning needs are understood by the organisation and the individual if maximum benefit is to be gained from any proposed training.

On both an individual and organisational level you need to establish what is required and what the current situation is; the gap between the two is the learning need. This means