Since the Industrial Revolution, the fear of becoming obsolete due to technological advancements has persisted, now heightened by the rise of AI. But this narrative is shifting. In today’s rapidly evolving world, continuous professional development is no longer just about career progression; it’s about cultivating the mindset and skills to navigate constant change, disruptions, and uncertainties. It’s about staying relevant—and more—by preparing for roles in industries that don’t yet exist but will inevitably emerge. EY’s Learning and Development (EY L&D) programmes enable professionals to adapt, pivot, and build resilience, transforming the fear of redundancy into an opportunity to thrive alongside technological advancements. EY Sri Lanka’s Sanath Fernando, Partner – Assurance, L&D Leader, Digital Audit, Audit Quality and Risk Management Leader, and Jessica Lewis, Manager – Learning and Development (Sri Lanka and Maldives), share insights into EY L&D and how the firm is keeping people at the heart of the tech-driven future.
Jessica Lewis, Manager – Learning and Development of EY Sri Lanka and the Maldives
How do the EY L&D programmes shape personal and professional growth?
EY L&D programmes are tailor-made to nurture professionals and guide them towards a future where skills, attitudes and knowledge define success.
This forward-thinking approach means that our L&D programmes are meticulously tailored to the specific skills required for career pathways within the firm. Underpinned by the firm’s comprehensive “All In” strategy, these programmes don’t just offer education; they craft a personalized learning journey, ensuring that every professional’s development is as unique as their ambitions and talents.
The EY leadership are not just advocates for this learning ethos; they are integral to its execution. By actively facilitating and participating in the training, they impart world-class leadership skills to their teams. Through this collaborative personalized approach, the learning and development programmes shape the professional acumen of our staff and their evolution as leaders and innovators in the industry.
How can the EY L&D initiatives equip individuals to prepare for future jobs that may not yet exist?
A professional’s future career may feature jobs that don’t yet exist, in businesses that haven’t yet been created. Our people have skills and talents they don’t even know they had, and we will help them to discover them. EY Badges, and our Tech MBA and Master’s programmes by Hult International Business School, are just some of the innovative learning programmes we offer to help them do just that.
The L&D initiatives are at the forefront of preparing individuals for the future, equipping them with the skills and mindset to thrive in jobs that may not yet exist. Central to this preparation is the nurturing of a culture of curiosity. Through initiatives like “thrive time,” the firm encourages individuals to apply their skills and passions in real-world scenarios, complemented by robust coaching and mentoring programmes. This environment fosters personal growth and stimulates innovative thinking and problem-solving skills.
The Skills@Center is another cornerstone of the EY strategy, driving agility in adapting to future business demands. It supports employees’ career flexibility and creates transparency in the skills development process, ensuring everyone has the tools and knowledge to navigate the evolving professional landscape. This approach underscores EY’s commitment to developing a workforce that is prepared for the future and also capable of shaping it.
Of course, it’s about much more than your formal learning. It’s also about the coaching and support our people will need to grow. At EY, our people will benefit from work experiences and opportunities that will help them transform, develop and build a better working world.
At the heart of the EY L&D initiatives is the emphasis on professional life skills development, often referred to as soft skills externally. EY understands that technical know-how is only one side of the coin; the other is the ability to adapt, collaborate, and lead in an unpredictable environment. To this end, our team offers a curated curriculum that includes but is not limited to critical thinking, emotional intelligence, effective communication, versatility and leadership.
The professional life skills programmes at EY are not static; they are dynamic and continually updated to reflect the latest research and societal needs. This approach ensures that professionals at EY are prepared for the jobs of today and become agile learners who can navigate and succeed in roles that may not yet exist. By fostering a culture of continuous learning and self-improvement, the L&D initiatives at EY serve as a beacon for those looking to future-proof their careers in an uncertain world.
How has EY curated its programmes to fit into different styles of learning for the younger generations?
EY Badges opens a world of possibilities by enabling our people to earn digital badges for future-focused skills such as data visualization, data science and artificial intelligence (AI) and for skills like transformational leadership or inclusive intelligence.
To earn a badge, they participate in required learning, challenge themselves to take on new experiences and contribute to the broader community. EY Badges is a portable and shareable programme and demonstrates skills and commitment not only to your EY colleagues but also to those in the broader business landscape. We believe EY Badges provide our people with immense opportunity to continuously improve, transform and stay relevant.
Our firm has also introduced the EY Tech MBA, offered in association with Hult International Business School, to help our people develop the mindset and skillset to navigate the challenges ahead. It is the first-ever fully accredited corporate MBA that is available regardless of role or position and entirely free to over 365,000 EY employees in over 150 countries.
Through its innovative virtual learning model, the MBA allows our people to develop the technology, leadership and business skills they need from anywhere in the world, in a way that truly suits them.
Moreover, the introduction of the three Masters programmes, namely EY Masters in Sustainability, EY Masters in Business Analytics and EY Masters in Technology in collaboration with the Hult International Business School, highlights the firm’s foresight in recognizing the critical roles of sustainability, data and technology use in future business models. These programmes equip individuals with the knowledge and skills to lead sustainably, addressing the growing demand for professionals who can integrate environmental, social, and governance (ESG) considerations into business strategy and integrate data and technology in key decisions.
How can the skills developed through the EY L&D programmes open doors to opportunities worldwide?
Through our comprehensive learning and development programmes, individuals are empowered with the skills and the right mindset to become transformative leaders. This empowerment is central to the EY approach, fostering a generation of extraordinary leaders known for their ability to drive growth and maintain integrity. The reputation of the firm is built on the strength of its leaders’ skills, and it is recognized worldwide, making these individuals highly sought after in the global marketplace.
The programmes are designed to create an agile organization, where professionals are globally connected and adept at working together across borders. This global connectivity, combined with the firm’s extensive scale and reach, allows our workforce to leverage unparalleled resources. When combined with the local knowledge and expertise that EY professionals develop through their training, it creates a powerful blend of skills that are applicable and valuable in markets around the world.
The skills developed thus open doors to opportunities worldwide. They equip individuals with the ability to lead transformative projects, drive sustainable growth, and navigate the complexities of the global business landscape. This positions EY professionals as leaders within the firm and the broader industry, capable of making significant impacts wherever their careers may take them.
How does the firm’s transformative mindset enhance the development of your technology skill set?
This transformative mindset is a driving force in enhancing the technology skill set of EY professionals. It’s not just about keeping pace with the rapid evolution of technology; it’s also about staying ahead of the curve. We proactively embrace innovation and the continuous push to explore and implement emerging technologies. It’s a forward-thinking approach ingrained in the firm’s culture, ensuring that learning and development are not merely reactive but predictive of future trends.
As professionals, our staff are encouraged to think like technologists, regardless of their primary expertise. They are continually exposed to the latest digital tools, platforms, and methodologies. By fostering a culture where technology is seen as a critical enabler of business solutions, the firm can strengthen its workforce’s adeptness to harness technology to drive efficiency, create value, and solve complex problems.
The transformative mindset also emphasizes the importance of adaptability and learning agility. With a plethora of resources, from digital badges and certifications to advanced training modules and the first of its kind – the EY Tech MBA, professionals are equipped to build a robust technology skill set that is both diverse and deep. This enables them to deliver innovative solutions to clients and help maintain the firm’s position as a leader in a technology-driven business environment. Ultimately, this mindset is not just about developing technology skills; it’s about cultivating a generation of EY professionals empowered to leverage technology in ways that redefine what’s possible. We encourage our people to build their careers as unique as they are, and we will provide the global scale, personal support, inclusive culture and technology they need to become the best version of themselves.