In this issue, we are pleased to spotlight Neha Trivedi, CPTM, director of talent development at Alight Solutions. At Alight, she oversees enterprise learning, leadership development programs, thought leadership with all business functions and ownership of the learning management system (LMS).

Read on to learn about Neha’s career journey.

How did you get started in learning and development?

A workplace injury led me to training others while I recovered. Before I knew it, I was partnering with HR and delivering new hire onboarding while in my various roles in manufacturing, quality control and quality assurance. I became certified as a Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) trainer, while also certifying for various skills in the aligned functions, including but not limited to coaching, several psychometric tools and Certified Professionals in Training Management (CPTM) through Training Industry.

What’s your most memorable training experience, good or bad?

I was tasked to get approximately 700 employees trained within three months of my first day of employment. I was not yet familiar with the company’s products or how they were manufactured, but the company was facing a regulatory audit. I not only researched the information, learned the product and processes, along with the aligned regulations, but I also created the training from scratch. All the while I partnered with a very resistant workforce who didn’t understand the need. This required me to build strong, trusting relationships with stakeholders and participants. Within three months, 97% of the 700 employees had completed the classroom training that I developed, designed and facilitated (and we passed the audit)!

Who would you consider your most valuable role model?

A contractor I worked with was tasked with designing learning for our manufacturing operations and I was assigned to help him understand our processes and current training approach. He took me under his wing and advised on how I could approach a career in L&D. He freely taught me whatever he knew. I went to graduate school to pursue my master’s degree in cultural anthropology because of his encouragement.

What are the most pressing issues on your professional plate right now?

Lately, it’s ensuring that my team is using artificial intelligence (AI) to enable learning at our organization. We are also challenged with delivering training and programs against ever shrinking budgets and very small teams. L&D is typically kept very slim unless the organization is a true learning organization.

What’s the most challenging aspect of your job?

Building quality learning programs takes time and partnership with subject-matter experts. It takes investment and an understanding that enterprise-wide platforms require intense management and scrutiny. Even agentic AI requires a human in the loop to ensure that the training and employee experience will meet the planned outcomes of the training deliverable.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of your job?

When I see an employee have a light bulb moment or when even one trainee says that the learning made an impact for them, that’s when I know that I’m meeting my purpose. I have always made an effort to create inclusive learning programs. Every employee should have access to quality learning.

What’s your preferred training methodology?

I believe in ensuring that the learning matches the context and needs. Quality training outcomes, in my experience, are only achieved if the training method is fit for purpose. That means understanding the audience, the risks, the goals and objectives, but also ensuring that quality measures are in place to monitor outcomes and continuous improvements.

How do you find the time to continue your own professional development?

I take time to read industry articles, books and follow industry leaders. I also attend webinars, write articles and present at conferences to not only give back to the training community but also to keep honing my skills.

Any recommendations for folks out there: books, partners, resources, etc.?

Training Industry’s website is my go-to. I frequently leverage Training Magazine, eLearning Industry, Center for Creative Leadership, Chief Learning Officer and ATD for their learning resources.

If someone wants to follow in my professional footsteps, I’d tell them to be sure to …

Most industries need L&D. Your strength will be to diversify. That’s what will make you more marketable, especially in current times when lay-offs abound. Continue upping your own skills and create your own value.