Top interests for UAB employees, according to a survey of more than 700 employees conducted by UAB Learning and Development in December 2025 and January 2026.Last year, UAB staff and faculty completed nearly 18,000 in-person and virtual classes and workshops supported by UAB Learning and Development. That’s a 94 percent increase over 2024 figures, says UAB Learning and Development Manager Jerad Watson.
Technology courses in general, and AI in particular, were the biggest draw for employees in 2025, according to data collected by Learning and Development. Leadership training, a perennial favorite, continued to generate strong interest as well.
That tracks with feedback from more than 700 employees on a Learning and Development survey distributed in December 2025 and January 2026, Watson notes. “We asked employees about the top skills they wanted to grow, and the clear winners were technology, leadership and productivity,” he said. The survey also asked about preferred modalities, time and program formats, preferred session duration, level of participation, and desired activities during sessions. See more details on responses below, and the full 2026 UAB Learning Trends survey report (pdf).
Learning and Development’s course catalog covers a lot of ground, from sessions on emotional intelligence and leadership readiness to hands-on sessions on workplace tech and private trainings for department retreats on office communication skills. But there were some clear trends as Watson looks back on the top-attended programs in 2025.
Participant feedback: “I have already streamlined several processes based on what I learned in Learning and Development programs. I was able to use what I learned right away.”
Virtual
In 2025, 67 percent of total attendees participated in Learning and Development’s Zoom-based programs. The top series for the year:
- AI @ Work. UAB staff and faculty explain how they are using the university’s approved generative AI tools in their day-to-day jobs. Next session: 11 a.m. April 29.
- Learning From Leaders. Influential UAB leaders share life-changing learning experiences from overcoming challenges. Next session: 11 a.m. May 7.
- TechTalk. Hands-on training on features of the most common software tools used by UAB employees. Next session: 11 a.m. May 11.
- AMP (Amplifying Your Leadership Skills). Interactive sessions focus on developing critical traits of effective leaders, including cultivating trust and coaching employees. Next session: 9 a.m. May 6.
- UAB Shared Values. Guest speakers from across campus reveal how UAB’s Shared Values: We CARE influence their behavior, relationships and decision-making. Next session: 11 a.m. May 19.
Most virtual courses are recorded and can be viewed on Learning and Development’s Recorded Sessions archive.
Responses on the L&D survey for most desired activities in Zoom sessions
Participant feedback: “I’ve learned practical leadership strategies and how to use technology, including AI tools, to work more efficiently. The trainings help me grow professionally while staying realistic for my day-to-day job.”
In-person
In 2025, 22 percent of attendees participated in face-to-face programs. The top workshops for the year:
- StrengthsFinder. A scientifically backed tool to help employees identify their top strengths and identify and maximize what motivates and energizes them. Offered twice a year in Medical Towers at no cost, first-come, first-serve. Available as a private workshop for teams of 15 or more.
- Understanding Your True Colors. The True Colors Assessment uses a metaphor of color to describe different patterns of behavior in the workplace and beyond. Next session: not yet scheduled (also available as a private workshop).
- DISC-Understanding Your Behavioral Style. Provides testing and results for the widely used DISC Behavior Model behavioral assessment. Next session: 9 a.m. May 28.
- Emotional Intelligence. Helps employees communicate effectively by recognizing behaviors, moods and impulses and managing them positively. This course is being updated and will be re-published soon.
- Shifting to Leader Ready. Training intended for emerging and aspiring leaders, those who are looking to be promoted to a people-leader position, or those who have been identified as having high potential for people-leader roles in the near future. Next session: 1:30 p.m. May 19.
Responses on the L&D survey for most desired activities during in-person sessions
LinkedIn Learning
In 2025, 11 percent of attendees took courses on this video-based learning platform. The top courses for the year:
- Developing Your Emotional Intelligence
- Excel Essential Training
- Critical Thinking for Better Judgment and Decision-Making
- Nano Tips To Thrive in Uncertainty and Embrace Change
- Nano Tips for Finding Career Clarity
LinkedIn Learning courses offer a way for employees to grow their skills any time, Watson says.
Participant feedback: “I learned new ways to use AI tools at UAB, and even as a frequent user I still picked up tips I could immediately apply, especially around working more efficiently and using the tools correctly.”
“We’ve also launched a new tab on our website to write and share articles to help employees grow their leadership skills, people skills, communication skills, technology skills, productivity skills and career skills,” Watson added. Visit uab.edu/humanresources/home/learndev/feed.
What’s new for 2026
Responses to Learning and Development’s campuswide survey in December and January have already been translated into new programs and offerings, Watson says.
Participation level
Employees wanted to know about the type of interaction required before their session — so they could opt to listen in while working on other tasks, for example. This feedback “helps us design our programs to fit the needs of their busy schedules,” Watson said. “Now every program we offer displays the participation level so employees know what to expect and can make an informed decision.”
Participant feedback: “The sessions are useful, fun and easy to apply in my work setting. Scheduling them during lunch or late afternoon makes it much easier to participate with my workload.”
Lunchtime sessions
Another clear piece of feedback was employee desire for lunchtime sessions. This spring, Learning and Development debuted a 30-minute series called PowerBites that focuses on quick applications and starts at 12:15 p.m. The next session is June 3, centered on the WINS Feedback Model.
More Q&A time
There also was interest in having more time to ask questions of presenters, especially on technical topics. That sparked a new series, AI Office Hours, that gives participants the chance to drop in for an hourlong Q&A with a panel of experts. The next session is 10 a.m. May 5, focused on Box AI.
Staying on mission
Watson notes that 96 percent of survey respondents said they found Learning and Development trainings to be useful and engaging. “That aligns with our mission, which is to deliver engaging and impactful learning opportunities to help employees cultivate positive and productive relationships to achieve job excellence,” Watson said.
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