Guild expands Learning Marketplace with new durable skills bundle for frontline workers

Guild, a provider of workforce education solutions, has announced the expansion of its Learning Marketplace with a new learning bundle. The bundle is designed to address the gap in durable skills, often referred to as “soft skills,” within the frontline workforce.

Many executives consider durable skills such as collaboration, problem-solving, time management, and empathy valuable, with 70% stating they are more important than AI skills. 

Research from Harvard Business Publishing identified a gap in both people-centric skill capabilities and related training opportunities for frontline leaders. Despite the growing need, organisations have limited training efforts for these key skills to senior leaders.

Guild has worked with large employers and innovative learning institutions to develop a new educational programme with key partners. Existing programmes are often not optimised for frontline workers, relying heavily on pre-recorded videos of theoretical concepts and not moving quickly enough to help learners address real-time challenges. In many cases, they only teach about a skill rather than how learners can apply it effectively in their day-to-day roles.

Bijal Shah, CEO of Guild, said: 

“For all the ways we can see AI driving businesses forward—unlocking efficiency, driving order, creating space for creativity—it is nothing without an equally valued talent strategy. As companies invest in AI, it is imperative that they assess the skills required in this new era of work. The future of work will not work without durable skills.”

Employees at Guild’s Employer Partners will now have access to new learning programmes designed for frontline workers. These programmes from Pathstream, Springboard, and the University of Denver will allow employees to learn and practice skills such as critical thinking, risk assessment, communication, problem-solving, and situational adaptability.

Each programme can be completed in four months or less, requires no prior college experience, and offers flexible learning accessible by mobile phone. Employees will also have access to mentorship and coaching to help them apply their new skills in real-world situations.

The new programmes are now available to all employers partnering with Guild. This allows companies to invest in developing both technical and durable skills for their employees.

This new learning bundle is the latest addition to Guild’s Learning Marketplace, which includes a mix of learning programmes designed to deliver outcomes for working adults and support their career development. Last October, Guild announced an AI skilling bundle to support the 112 million frontline workers most at risk of needing to change occupations due to AI-related shifts in the workplace.

Ellen Kessler, Senior Director of Learning & Development at Hilton, stated:

“In a rapidly evolving business landscape, Hilton recognises that cultivating foundational skills is essential for any successful talent strategy. These skills become the platform to empower Team Members with the necessary tools to thrive in their roles and grow their career mobility options for the future.

“Effective collaboration, communication, and decision-making are the cornerstones of success. These human-driven skills not only enhance individual performance but also contribute to the overall growth of our organization. Hilton’s commitment to continuous learning ensures that Team Members engage meaningfully with their teams and work. As technology advances, these foundational skills remain crucial, allowing Team Members to adapt and excel.”