Pro Bono Service Drives Development of Human Skills in a Changing World of Work

Experiential learning outperforms traditional training for building human skills in an AI era   

A new report from Taproot, with support from PwC 

Work is changing faster than the way we develop people. As AI, hybrid work and more fluid career paths reshape how work gets done, organizations see the importance of human skills alongside technical skills.   Yet, many continue to depend on traditional training models that professionals report are less effective at building human skills. This report, based on insights from 130 professionals across sectors with experience in employer-supported pro bono engagements, looks at how different learning approaches contribute to human skill development.   Across respondents, experience-based learning, like on-the-job training and pro bono service, outperformed traditional training for building human skills—problem solving, collaboration, communication, and adaptability skills.

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More than 70% of respondents reported strengthening human skills through pro bono service.

Pro bono service has the power to enhance both talent development and nonprofit capacity. These experiences place professionals in real world situations characterized by ambiguity, limited resources, diverse stakeholder needs, where they apply their expertise to strengthen nonprofits while building applied human skills.

Findings suggest a clear opportunity to integrate pro bono service as a core component of an organization’s learning strategy.   

Download this report to get insights on:  

• • • A new approach to human skill development  
    • Integrating pro bono service into learning and development strategies  
    • Designing learning opportunities that double as community impact 

If you would like a deeper dive into the data, check out the technical appendix here.

Ready to rethink how your organization builds human skills? Fill out the form below to download the report.