On this episode of All Aboard with Rob Belliveau, Rob sits down with Nick Oddson, President of SkillsWave, to unpack why so many organizations are “doing training” without actually closing their skills gaps. Nick shares his 30‑year journey from programmer to president, how incubating a corporate learning startup inside D2L led to SkillsWave, and why connecting learning directly to business goals matters more than ever.
They dig into the disconnect between tuition benefits and real upskilling, why course catalogues and subscriptions often go under‑used, and how companies can move from ad hoc learning to a more targeted, strategic approach. Nick explains SkillsWave’s no‑platform‑fee model, their network of 50–60 learning providers, and how tools like SkillsWave Guide use skills data and AI to help employees map their current role, desired future, and the learning path between them.
Rob and Nick explore the power of micro‑credentials and “small boosts” that help people feel more confident in the jobs they have right now—not just prepare for their next role. Along the way, they share stories of employees moving from the shop floor to management, why everyone is chasing ROI on people development, and the key question leaders should be asking: “Did this learning build the skills our business actually needs?”
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Email the show: allaboard@neontrain.comIf this episode helped you think differently about upskilling, tuition assistance, or how you invest in employee development, share it with a colleague, leader, or friend in HR, L&D, higher education, or corporate training.