Every year Forbes contributor Dan Schawbel interviews hundreds of HR professionals and employees and writes up a list of important workforce trends. He has just published his 2017 list in Forbes, and we think it makes for important reading.

Because Tortal Training is a training development company, we tend to see trends through the lens of training. But we believe you will agree with us that Schawbel’s predictions will have a big impact on how your company will train its workforce in the years ahead.

Trend One: Companies will focus more on improving their candidate and employee “experiences”

Schawbel predicts that companies will apply marketing strategies to provide applicants and employees with more satisfying and rewarding experiences. He points out that it is already happening at many companies including Virgin, which has recently redesigned its experience for job candidates.

Trend Two: The rise of the “blended” workforce

In today’s “gig economy,” more companies are home to both permanent employees and freelancers. “The ability to manage without borders,” Schawbel writes, will become a critical new skill. (And to train without borders too, may we add.)

Trend Three: Annual performance reviews will be replaced by an ongoing review process

Schawbel reports that GE and Adobe are among the companies that have already replaced annual reviews with regular feedback sessions between employee and boss. Interesting to note that in his new book Ingaging Leadership, our CEO Evan Hackel writes about this trend too.

Trend Four: More millennials will interact with members of Generation Z on the job

Schawbel notes that one-third of working millennials now occupy management positions and supervise direct reports. Yet only 7% of companies have leadership development programs to get millennial managers up to speed. (Talk about a need for training.)

Trend Five:  Virtual and augmented reality will revolutionize recruiting and training

Employees who use these technologies outside of work will expect to encounter more and more of them on the job. And virtual reality will find its way more and more into training too.

Trend Six: The “contract” between companies and employees will evolve in surprising ways

To retain employees and maximize their effectiveness, companies will redefine what employment means. One example? During their tenure at organizations, employees will take part in different “tours of duty” instead of staying in static jobs.

Trend Seven: Team effectiveness will gain importance over individual performance

Schawbel notes that Cisco was among the first companies to shift the focus to teams, thanks to its “Team Space” platform that analyzes team activity and seeks ways to improve results.

Trend Eight: Wellness programs will become more important

Companies are already using wellness programs to recruit employees, reduce healthcare costs, and decrease absenteeism. Yet according to Schawbel, fewer than half of American employees feel that their companies promote a healthy lifestyle.

Trend Nine: Benefits and perks will become more creative

Schawbel’s research shows that compensation remains the top concern among employees. Yet it is followed closely by healthcare coverage and flexible work schedules.

Trend 10: Office and workplace attire will become even more casual

Per Schawbel, about one-third of employees would prefer to work in a company where more casual dress is the norm.

How Will Your Training Change?

We encourage you to think about that and invite you to discuss your training goals and needs today with a Tortal Training professional.