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Foundations of Workplace Learning and Development

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Foundations of Workplace Learning and Development

Today’s work environments demand Learning & Development practitioners who can blend creativity, strategy, and inclusive design to build training that drives results for both people and organizations.

Workplaces are shifting in ways that ask people to learn new skills, adapt quickly, and support one another’s growth. As a result, organizations need learning experiences that are clear, inclusive and practical. The Foundations of Workplace Learning and Development program helps you build the skills and confidence to design those experiences, whether you’re supporting employees, adult learners in classroom settings, or teams across an organization.

This program is a great it if you are:

  • New to Learning & Development
  • Moving from teaching into adult education
  • Exploring a career in instructional design or corporate training

Program Format and Flexibility:

This program is fully online and asynchronous, allowing you to learn on your own schedule. Each of the three courses includes up to three months of access to complete interactive materials and assignments. You can progress through the program at a pace that works for you, with up to nine months total to complete all three courses.

Throughout the program, you’ll learn how to design training that is clear, inclusive, and practical in real workplaces. You’ll explore a variety of models used across the field – such as ADDIE, Human-Centered Design, UDL, and additional adult learning frameworks – without being tied to only one approach.

By the end of the program, you’ll know how to design and build learning experiences that support organizational goals while helping adult learners succeed. You’ll also leave with a portfolio you can feel proud of and share with employers.

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What You’ll Learn

You'll develop essential skills used every day by L&D and instructional design professionals, including how to:

  • Use adult learning principles to design training that works in a variety of workplace settings.
  • Choose and apply practical tools, processes, and technologies to build learning programs.
  • Spot performance gaps and turn them into opportunities for better learning.
  • Work with leaders, subject experts, and learners to shape training that is relevant and useful.
  • Understand how an organization’s systems and goals shape its learning needs.
  • Support learning “on the job” through reflection, coaching, and continuous development.
  • Design learning experiences that are research-informed, inclusive, and aligned with workplace goals.
  • Build reflective habits that support your effectiveness and well-being in L&D roles.

Who Should Enroll in this Program

This program is beginner-friendly and has no formal pre-requisites. It's ideal for individuals aspiring to work or currently working in L&D, including:

Instructional Designers
Instructors / Facilitators
Learning Content Developers
Training and Development Professional
Human Resource Professionals
Curriculum Developers & Designers
Instructional Coaches

Most Commonly Related Occupations

K–12 educators transitioning into L&D

Post-secondary instructors and coordinators

Community-based and nonprofit educators

Program facilitators in corporate, government, or organizational settings

Program Overview

The program can be completed in as little as 3 months, max 9 months. You will be issued a digital Certificate of Completion upon completion of all three courses.

Program Length

Max 9 months
(3 months per course)

Format

100% online, asynchronous

Class Size

20+ learners (rolling enrollment)

Course Duration

56 hours each

Effort

4-6 hours active engagement per week

Total Investment

$1095 per course
Total: $3285
(HST Exempt)

Upcoming Courses

This course gives you the foundation you need to design high-quality, inclusive learning experiences for adults. You’ll learn how adults learn, how to understand what an organization needs, and how to design learning that supports both individual and team growth.

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This course helps you turn your design ideas into real, usable learning programs. You’ll learn how to develop materials, use learning tools and technologies, and prepare for delivering training in a workplace setting.

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Digital tools and technologies are shaping how adults learn across every sector. This course helps you understand how to use these tools – such as AI, analytics, learning platforms, social learning spaces, and blended systems – to build flexible and future-ready learning experiences.

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Frequently Asked Questions

This program is designed for people who are early in their careers in workplace learning and development, instructional design, or talent development. It is also well suited to K-12 and post-secondary educators, HR professionals, and others who want to transition into adult learning or workplace learning roles. If you are looking for a clear foundation in how adults learn at work - and how to design learning that works in organizational settings - this program was created with you in mind.
No. A background in Learning & Development is not required. This program begins with core concepts and builds step by step. Ideas are explained clearly, making the courses accessible to beginners as well as learners with some related professional experience. What matters most is your interest in how adults learn at work and your willingness to apply concepts to your own professional context.
This program helps you build practical, job-ready skills for workplace learning and development. You will learn clear frameworks and tools used to design, develop, and deliver learning in organizations. Throughout the program, you will complete applied work that can contribute to a professional portfolio. This program aligns with widely recognized Learning & Development competency frameworks from the Institute for Performance and Learning (I4PL) and the Association for Talent Development (ATD).
Yes. Many professionals enter the field from education, HR, communications, etc. This program builds foundational knowledge and skills commonly used in workplace learning roles, such as instructional design, training development, and learning program delivery.
Yes, absolutely. You are encouraged to apply concepts, tools and frameworks directly into your workplace or professional setting. Many learners use course activities to explore real challenges they are currently facing on the job.
No. While both programs focus on learning in professional contexts, they are different programs with different learning goals, course structures, and assessment approaches. Courses and credits cannot be transferred between the two programs.
Guided self-paced learning offers flexibility while still providing structure and support. You can move through the course materials at a pace that works for you, while still receiving support from a Course Guide. Support may include feedback on activities, help during office hours, and assistance with technical questions when needed.
There are no traditional exams. Instead, courses focus on applied work. You'll complete practical activities and assignments that reflect real workplace learning tasks, such as designing learning materials or applying learning frameworks to common organizational situations.
No. Courses are fully online and do not require live attendance. You can review materials, complete activities, and contact your Course Guide at times that work for you, wherever you are located.
Each course includes approximately 56 hours of learning (~30 instructional hours and ~26 hours to complete activities/tasks). For most working professionals, this typically means 3-6 hours of active engagement per week, though this can vary.
Courses are flexible, but they may include suggested timelines or completion windows. These timelines are designed to help you stay on track and complete the course successfully while balancing work and personal commitments. Individual courses are to be completed within three months of the date you receive your login credentials. Should you wish to complete all three courses, you will have 9 months to do so from the date you receive your login credentials.
The courses are designed to build upon each other, so taking them in order is strongly recommended, especially if you are new to workplace learning and development. The suggested sequence is: 1) Design Engaging Learning Experiences, 2) Develop and Deliver High-Impact Learning, 3) Advance Learning in a Digital Age. Learners with relevant experience may choose a different order, but most benefit from the above sequence.
We recommend taking one course at a time to get the most value from the program, since each course builds on the concepts introduced in the previous one. You may choose to take more than one course at the same time, but should be prepared for a much heavier workload.
After successfully completing all three courses, you will receive a digital Certificate of Completion from OISE Continuing & Professional Learning at the University of Toronto. The certificate recognizes your foundational knowledge and skills in workplace learning and development and can be added to your resume or professional profile.
Yes. Your Course Guide can help with common technical questions related to course activities and navigation. For more complex issues, you can contact the OISE Continuing & Professional Learning team at oise.cpl@utoronto.ca for additional support.

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We’re ready to support your continuing education journey. Contact us today to find out whether this program is right for you.

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