The Assembly

Using Skill Sprints to Drive Individual-Lead Learning with Russell Woods

In this excellent interview, Adam sits down with Russel Woods from Aster Group UK.

Russell is the Learning and Development Partner for Aster Group. He has taken his experience from leading and developing organisations in the sports and social housing sectors into L&D and is now designing and delivering learning journeys within his organisation. 

In this episode, Russell programme designed by Russell design to help people upskill quicky and efficiently. Russel walks through a process he his testing at Aster Group called Skills Sprints, and how he is using them to help staff develop new skills at speed. 

Russell covers:
  1. Addressing skills gaps and adapting to fast-changing workplace needs.
  2. Working Learning around time and budget constraints
  3. What a Skills Sprint is and how they are using them as a way to develop new skills at Aster Group.

If you're looking for an innovative approach to skills development, this episode is a must-listen.

Connect with Russell on LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/russell-woods-7470b655/
check out Aster Group UK: https://www.aster.co.uk/

Looking for a content library to help your team develop their productivity, communication, leadership skills and more? Check out assembleyou.com and follow us on LinkedIn.

What is The Assembly?

The Assembly: Where L&D Minds Assemble

The future of workplace learning doesn’t live in theory — it lives in lived experience, fresh research, and honest conversations.
That’s what The Assembly delivers.

Hosted by Adam Lacey, Co-Founder of Assemble You and digital learning veteran, and Brigid McCormack, a newcomer to the world of L&D, this is your go-to space for rich, real talk on what’s driving L&D forward.

In each episode, you’ll find:
Richer insights that go beyond surface-level tips to unpack what really works in learning today
Expert perspectives from leaders shaping the L&D landscape
Access to new research on tech, methods, and innovations defining tomorrow’s learning culture
Practical strategies you can use right now to build essential skills like leadership, communication, and adaptability

Whether you’re designing programs, shaping strategy, or driving culture change — if learning is your thing, this is your podcast.

Formally known as L&D Challenges.