KR

Cape Town

LEARNING AND DEVELOPMENT

Annual Conference 2025

Innovate • Inspire • Impact

Protea Hotel Stellenbosch and Conference Centre

Pre-conference Workshops
20 October 2025

Two-day Conference
21-22 October 2025

Learning and Development Conference 2025

The Learning & Development (L&D) landscape is no longer just about training—it’s about reinventing how people learn, adapt, and thrive in an era of continuous disruption. With AI-driven automation, talent shortages, and evolving workforce expectations, organisations are redefining how they build resilient, future-ready workforces.

L&D is now at the forefront of business transformation—tasked with ensuring skills agility, integrating emerging technologies, and creating learning cultures that drive real behaviour change. But with new challenges come bold opportunities.

This year’s Learning and Development Conference 2025 is not just another industry gathering. It’s a future-focused experience designed to equip professionals with cutting-edge insights, strategies, and tools to stay ahead. We’ll explore what’s next for L&D—beyond e-learning and compliance training—to uncover the real levers that drive performance, retention, and long-term success.

Learning & Development

What’s Different About 2025?

AI is Here—But Are You Ready? The latest Workplace Learning Report from LinkedIn reveals that while 82% of L&D leaders acknowledge the need for AI upskilling, fewer than 40% of organisations have formal AI training programmes. The skills gap is widening, and AI literacy is no longer optional. This conference will showcase how to embed AI education into learning and use AI to enhance talent development.

Psychological Safety & Well-being Are Now Core to Learning: As workloads intensify, learning fatigue and burnout are rising. Neuroscience-backed learning design and inclusive L&D strategies are now essential to sustain engagement, performance, and well-being.

Skills Intelligence is the New Competitive Edge: The shift from role-based learning to skills-based talent strategies is accelerating. Organisations investing in skills data, adaptive learning, and talent mobility are pulling ahead.

Measuring Learning Impact Matters More Than Ever: In 2025, L&D must prove its business value—beyond participation rates and course completions. Learning strategies need to directly align with business KPIs, from productivity to talent retention and innovation.

This conference will deliver practical strategies, real-world case studies, and bold ideas to reshape how we approach L&D. Whether you’re focused on AI-driven learning, leadership coaching, digital transformation, or fostering a learning-first culture, this event will provide concrete solutions to future-proof your workforce.

Learning and Development Conference 2025

Who Should Attend?

This conference is designed for L&D leaders, HR professionals, and business strategists driving the future of workplace learning, including:

  • Heads of Learning, Leadership, and Talent Development
  • L&D Directors, Managers, and Consultants

  • Training and Development Leaders

  • Corporate Trainers, Coaches, and Facilitators

  • Organisational Capability and Change Managers

  • Instructional Designers and eLearning Specialists

  • Chief Learning Officers (CLOs) and HR Executives

Why you should not miss this?

PARTICIPATING ORGANISATIONS

CONFERENCE SPEAKERS

SPONSORS & EXHIBITORS

Innovate • Inspire • Impact

Below is a summary of the topics across

the two-day agenda

Shaping the Future of L&D: Adopting Trends, Best Practices & Predictive Insights

CASE STUDY: High-Impact Learning in Action: How Nedbank Developed ‘Leaders as Talent Builders’

CASE STUDY: AI in Action: Practical Applications for Learning Content Creation and Delivery

Embedding Values into Learning, Leadership, and Organisational Culture

Coaching for L&D Practitioners: Empowering Employees for Growth

Integrating L&D with Performance and Business Impact

The Future of HR Leadership in a Volatile and Changing World: Building a Change-Ready Leadership Team

How to establish a capability academy in the context of a skills-driven organisation

Beneath the Busy: Rethinking L&D’s Role in Employee Well-being

A Strategic Approach to Evaluating Training Technologies

Cultivating Presence in Leadership

Adaptive Learning at Scale: Personalising Training Through Data and Neuroscience

Have the Setas Run Out of Course and Cause? Rethinking South Africa’s Skills Development Future

Measuring Soft Skills: Proving the Value of Human-Centric Learning

Psychological Safety in Learning: Building Trust for Growth and Performance

The Future of Work: Redefining Skills for Emerging Roles

Leveraging Neuroscience for Learning, Habit Formation, and Behaviour Change

PANEL DISCUSSION: Future-Proofing Workforce Skills

PRE-CONFERENCE WORKSHOP 1

Assessing in the QCTO
Environment

FACILIATED BY: Izelle Swart •  Accreditation Consultant, Facilitator, Assessor and Moderator

A practical course designed for anyone interested in the assessing role specifically within the QCTO environment. We will walk you through the step-by-step process of unpacking curriculum documents, implementing successful internal assessments and reporting correctly for a QCTO-accredited Skills Development Provider.

PRE-CONFERENCE WORKSHOP 2

Mastering HR Tech, Analytics, and AI for Executive Leadership

FACILIATED BY: Elmen Lamprecht • Talent Sourcing Manager, Engenr

Unlock the future of HR in just one day! Join us for an exhilarating workshop designed exclusively for HR executives, where we’ll dive deep into the latest HR technologies, powerful analytics, and the game-changing potential of AI. Discover how cutting-edge tools can transform your organisation. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to revolutionise your HR strategy and stay ahead of the curve!

Recognising Excellence in Learning & Development

Learning and Development Team
of The Year Award 2025

This award recognises excellence in quality, innovation, leadership, and the measurable impact of an L&D team on their organisation.

Entry Structure

1. Summary/Overview
Provide a brief introduction that includes:

  • An overview of the organisation and the L&D team’s role.
  • Clarification on whether the team operates at a group level or within a specific business line.

2. Challenges & Approaches
Focus on a specific project your team has completed or is currently working on – Explain the challenges your team has faced and how they were addressed.

  • Key challenges (e.g., evolving business needs, budget constraints, skills shortages).
  • Strategies and approaches used to overcome these challenges (e.g., stakeholder engagement, innovative solutions, needs analysis).
  • Talent development initiatives implemented to build internal L&D team capabilities and ensure sustainable success.
  • Innovation in budget alignment – how did the team adapt to financial limitations while still meeting diverse learning needs?

3. Outcomes & Results
Demonstrate the impact of your team’s work with clear evidence:

  • How has your L&D team evolved over the last 1–3 years, considering the rise of AI and advancements in learning technologies?
  • Metrics and data showcasing tangible business impact (e.g., productivity improvements, ROI, learning adoption rates).
  • Evidence of how the team’s initiatives have contributed to individual development and broader organisational success while aligning with business objectives and budgets.
  • What makes your approach innovative and unique? Did you benchmark against other organisations or internal teams?
  • Top 3 lessons learned from the journey towards achieving your team’s goals.

Entry Format
Submissions can be in either or both formats:

  • Video submission: 3–4 minutes maximum
  • Written submission: 1,000 words maximum

Submit entries via email to: katie@knowres.co.za

Entry Checklist for Teams

  • Before submitting, ensure you have:
  • A video submission (3–4 min) and/or a written submission (max. 1,000 words).
  • A clear summary of your team’s role within the organisation.
  • A well-defined project focus with identified challenges and approaches used.
  • Evidence of innovation, budget alignment, and stakeholder engagement.
  • Data and metrics to support the outcomes and impact.
  • A section on lessons learned and key takeaways.
  • Submission sent to katie@knowres.co.za before the deadline (30 July 2025).

Entries are open, submit before the deadline

30 July 2025

Don’t delay and enter now!

Unmissable insights & impactful learning!

What past attendees are saying

“The speakers were incredible, and the topics were fascinating! The variety of tracks added great value, but I had serious FOMO—choosing between sessions was tough!”

Discovery Insure

“The programme was expertly planned and executed. I also appreciated the opportunity to interact with the speakers during break times—it made the experience even more valuable.”

Nautam Training Academy

“The content was not only informative but also well-prepared. The speakers brought high energy and delivered with outstanding presentation skills. An excellent programme with relevant and engaging topics!”

SANBS

“I loved how we explored both professional development and the future of work for L&D professionals. An excellent conference—insightful and forward-thinking!”

Bidvest Tank Terminals

“The content was highly relevant, and each speaker delivered brilliantly on their selected topics.”

Rainbow

VENUE

Protea Hotel Stellenbosch and Conference Centre

Ideally situated and brimming with amenities, Protea Hotel Stellenbosch is the perfect destination for both business and leisure. We’re just a short distance from attractions including Stellenbosch University and Stellenbosch Town Centre, as well as Blaauwklippen vineyard. Intuitively appointed accommodations feature deluxe bedding, complimentary Wi-Fi, room service, and other thoughtful perks. We also offer apartment-style accommodations with semi-self-catering kitchenettes, perfect for extended stays in South Africa. Enjoy a buffet breakfast at Cultivar Restaurant or relax over dinner and drinks at Die Wingerd Restaurant. If you’re hosting an event in Stellenbosch, you’ll appreciate our 11,000 square feet of flexible space, including a venue that can accommodate up to 450 guests – as well as our comprehensive planning and catering services. We look forward to taking care of you at Protea Hotel Stellenbosch.

Download the conference brochure

Contains full programme and more information!

Sponsorship & Exhibition options available!

Partner with us for the Learning and Development Annual Conference 2025

For more than 10 years KR has delivered this high-level event to leaders – who are hard to reach decision makers. Boost your brand with enhanced business relationships, lead generation and a full pipeline. Benefits of becoming a partner:

  • Valuable face-time with current and new business partners
  • Build relationships, gather leads, and make sales
  • Showcase your latest products and service offerings
  • Profile your executives with speaking opportunities that are designed to enhance your position in the market
  • Enjoy networking with top decisions makers
  • There’s a sponsorship package for every budget