Monika Zamojska
A Career In Learning And Development
With 17 years of experience in the automotive industry and 10 years in training, I have built a strong foundation in both fields. My career focuses on fostering business and employee growth by promoting essential skills, entrepreneurial spirit, and innovative thinking while leveraging modern digital solutions to nurture talent.
Currently, I serve as the Group Learning & Development Director at Volkswagen Group Polska, overseeing the competencies of over 10,000 individuals. My responsibilities include developing and implementing long-term training strategies, designing learning programs, and leading strategic projects such as the development of our own Learning Management System (LMS) and implementing our balanced operations strategy. In 2024, I restructured the sales and product training team, which required effective change management to align various stakeholders with differing targets.
My previous roles included senior manager training development, training and quality manager, and group reporting and strategy manager. In each position, I have consistently worked with determination and reliability to achieve business goals.
Common Challenges In Implementing Learning And Development Initiatives
Companies often encounter several obstacles when implementing learning and development programs:
• Operational priorities overshadow development: Training sessions are frequently cancelled due to workloads or a perceived lack of value. Managers often prioritize immediate tasks over long-term development. Setting realistic timelines, managing expectations, and communicating the long-term benefits of development is crucial.
• Managers shifting responsibility: Some managers delegate development to employees without providing proper guidance or support. Fostering a culture of managerial involvement and equipping leaders with communication skills can help address this issue.
A Results-Only Mindset Can Hinder Growth. Balancing Immediate Performance With Longterm Capability Building Ensures Sustained Success
• Confusing development with training: Development encompasses more than just training—it includes mentoring, coaching, and on-the-job learning. Encouraging diverse learning methods enhances overall growth.
• Short-term focus over long-term development: A results-only mindset can hinder growth. Balancing immediate performance with long-term capability building ensures sustained success.
The Role Of Technology In Learning And Development
Technology plays a crucial role in modern learning and development programs. At Volkswagen Group Polska, we utilize VR and AR for car body assembly and high-voltage training, allowing employees to practice safely before working with real equipment.
Our customized LMS platform personalizes learning based on individual competencies. It tracks exam results, skill assessments, and other metrics to tailor learning approaches. For instance, mechanics without regular PC access can listen to podcasts about technical updates while working.
I avoid classical e-learning due to its lack of engagement. People readily pay for movies, audiobooks, or e-books but rarely for e-learning courses. Our approach involves selfstudy with PDFs, videos, and audio files, followed by a test. Next, we provide webinars and, as a premium, face-to-face (f2f) training focused solely on practical exercises.
Additionally, simple tools like quick webinars or downloadable PDFs for use during customer interactions prove highly effective. Training apps that demonstrate product differences and guide sales processes further encourage learning.
Keeping Learning Programs Relevant In An Evolving Job Market
The career landscape has shifted from lifelong employment with one company to dynamic, flexible career paths. Reskilling, upskilling, and exploring new competencies have become essential.
Key competencies such as lifelong learning, networking, and technological fluency are crucial. To keep content practical and relevant, we emphasize microlearning and small, continuous improvements. Our programs avoid purely theoretical content and instead focus on demonstrating actionable, business-oriented skills.
Innovations And Trends In Learning And Development
AI-driven learning is transforming the way companies approach employee growth. At Volkswagen, we train our sales teams to use AI for customer communication, needs analysis, and content creation for social media platforms. Practical exercises in community management and responding to feedback ensure they apply these skills effectively.
I use the Notta app to transcribe my spoken thoughts into structured content, streamlining content preparation. Additionally, gamification adds a competitive, engaging element to learning. Rankings, challenges, and interactive tasks enhance motivation and encourage continuous improvement.
Advice for Those Entering the Learning and Development Field
Experiment! Learning and development require continuous exploration. Test different methods with your team and embrace mistakes as learning opportunities. Our role is to inspire others to dream bigger. I once let my father test-drive a Porsche 911. Initially indifferent, he returned after an hour, saying,
“I didn’t know what I should be dreaming about.” This moment reminded me that our mission is to help others envision new possibilities and inspire growth for the future.
