Learning and Development in the UK is at a crossroads between optimism and uncertainty.
At the Learning Technologies Awards 2025, the atmosphere was electric, with teams applauded for their creativity and vision in digital learning. Yet, almost around the same time, the CIPD’s Autumn Labour Market Outlook arrived, casting a shadow with a warning: one in six UK employers are preparing to cut jobs as AI takes hold.
For those guiding L&D, this trend is less a paradox and more a moment of decision — one that will shape the future of work.
As AI quietly takes over routine tasks, it leaves a gap. Some will see this as a chance to cut costs, while others will recognize an opportunity to invest in people and skills.
Choosing the path of displacement brings risks that are not always visible at first. Redundancies may make headlines, but the deeper crisis unfolds quietly among those left behind: a phenomenon some are calling ‘quiet cracking.’
Not to be confused with ‘quiet quitting,’ ‘quiet cracking’ describes the slow, silent burnout of employees who feel stranded and anxious about what comes next. These employees view technology as a threat rather than a helping hand. As uncertainty grows and development stalls, loyalty begins to fracture. L&D leaders must be aware that this hidden source of high turnover contributes to widening skills gaps.
Offering a Clear Path for Employees to Stay
The alternative path, celebrated at the LT Awards, tells a different story. Here, technology is a means to invest in people — helping teams adapt, grow, and thrive in a changing world.
Using technology as a bridge to help people find their place within their current organization and reduce their stress related to AI is a challenging quest. However, it also gives employees reasons to stay and grow.
But building this future is impossible when systems are fragmented. If records, classrooms, and skills data are scattered, it becomes difficult to chart a clear path for anyone.
To address the anxiety that AI brings — and to prevent ‘quiet cracking’ — organizations need tools that bring everything together, making it easier to support and develop people.
- Automate Compliance, Focus on People: Utilize an LMS for compliance training to manage administration, freeing up L&D teams to concentrate on developing bespoke, high-value skills.
- Make Growth Visible: Utilize built-in Certification and career-pathing tools to show employees a clear path forward within the company.
- Prove the ROI of People: Leverage detailed reporting to connect learning engagement with performance and retention, proving to the board that investing in people is the best defense against displacement.
The CIPD report is not just a forecast; it is a warning sign. ‘Quiet cracking’ is the symptom, but the stories celebrated at the Learning Technologies Awards highlight the importance of investing in people and their potential.
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How Vedubox Helps L&D Leaders Build the Future
Vedubox is the all-in-one employee training software designed for this challenge. It provides a single, AI-powered platform to:
Manage and automate all compliance and onboarding.
Engage learners with gamification and interactive video.
Build clear development paths with Certificates.
Deliver live, global training in our Virtual Classroom.
Prove your impact with a powerful reporting suite.
The risk of a workforce quietly cracking is real, but it is not inevitable. The right approach can help people find new purpose and possibilities in their work. Contact us today to discuss how your organization can adapt to current changes.
