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RESOURCES

Human Skills at Work: Pro Bono Service Driving Development in a Changing World of Work

January 29, 2000

Experiential learning outperforms traditional training for developing human skills in an AI-era   

A new study from Taproot, with support from PwC 

Work is changing faster than the way we develop people. 

As AI, hybrid work and more fluid career paths reshape how work gets done, organizations see the importance of human skills alongside technical skills. 

Yet, most learning methods still rely on traditional training models that are better suited to upskilling technical know-how than strengthening human skills. This study, based on insights from 130 professionals across sectors with experience in employer-supported pro bono engagements, looks at how different learning approaches contribute to human skill development.
Across respondents, experience-based learning, like on-the-job training and pro bono service, outperformed traditional training for building human skillsproblem solving, collaboration, communication, and adaptability skills.

More than 70% of participants reported strengthening human skills through pro bono service.

Pro bono service has the power to enhance talent development and nonprofit capacity. Professionals apply their expertise to real organizational challenges, strengthening nonprofits while building applied human skills. 

Findings suggest a clear opportunity to integrate pro bono service as a core component of an organization’s learning strategy.   

Download this report to get insights on:  

  • A new approach to human skill development  
  • Integrating pro bono service into learning and development strategies  
  • Designing learning opportunities that double as community impact 

Ready to rethink how your organization builds human skills? Download the report to learn how.

 

 

Want to dive deeper into the data? Check out the technical appendix here.