2020 was set to be learning and development's big year. Departments were seeing more buy-in from execs thanks to learning's rising cache in building a more resilient, prepared workforce.

Then COVID-19 happened.

So far, demand for learning has remained largely steady; in fact, online learning programs saw a surge in demand once broad work-from-home orders went out, one study noted. While large, in-office learning programs may have been abandoned, L&D pros have instead been called upon to ready managers for the new remote reality. And while some employers have undertaken layoffs, employee development doesn't end even as the environment shifts — meaning L&D has had to figure out what that looks like.

The following five stories showcase how L&D has adapted to uncertain times and the strategies they've used to keep learning goals on pace.