Dr. Gleb Tsipursky – The Office Whisperer
Nirit Cohen – WorkFutures
Angela Howard – Culture Expert
Drew Jones – Design & Innovation
Jonathan Price – CRE & Flex Expert
Continuous learning has become a cornerstone of professional longevity, and flexible workspaces already encourage it through workshops, talks, and mentoring. Their true potential, however, may lie in becoming centers of industry-focused education that help professionals stay adaptable in a rapidly changing world of work.
What if forward-thinking workspaces and coworking centers became hubs of lifelong learning, integrating job-relevant training with accessible, real-world education?
For coworking operators, this raises important questions: Which types of learning thrive best in these environments, and how much do the design and layout of a space influence how people learn?
By exploring these questions and combining innovative programs with cutting-edge technology aligned to the future workforce, could coworking spaces ultimately become the classrooms of tomorrow?
Why Coworking and Learning Belong Together
Coworking centers provide natural opportunities for learning through the informal exchange of knowledge among members. Increasingly, many also complement this with formal programs, including workshops, mentorship, and structured apprenticeship initiatives.
Allwork.Space spoke with Gal Leslie, Director at 2-Work, a flexible office space provider with five locations across West Yorkshire, U.K., about coworking and continuous learning. Leslie — who has over twenty years of experience in the industry, including roles at Regus and Instant Group — highlights the unique role these spaces play:
“We see firsthand how these spaces are ideal for hosting events. Everything you need is already on-site — from the space to the people. Because coworking is so flexible, it’s easy to fit in workshops, talks, or even apprenticeship programs alongside people’s regular workdays. That way, learning becomes a natural part of the work culture rather than something extra you have to fit in.”
Leslie notes that coworking’s diversity (attracting professionals from many industries) allows members to learn from a wide range of perspectives, making learning an organic part of the environment.
In flexible workspaces, everyday interactions from spontaneous conversations to collaborative projects and problem-solving create ideal conditions for peer-to-peer learning. Leslie explains that informal exchanges often occur in shared work areas, communal kitchens, and breakout rooms, where casual conversations frequently evolve into meaningful exchanges of ideas, tips, and advice.
The benefits of peer collaboration are well-documented. Around 70% of coworkers report improved productivity and greater accountability when working alongside peers.
Research in traditional workplaces mirrors this, with 22% of American employees preferring to learn from peers rather than managers, and collaboration across different skill levels producing stronger outcomes. These findings underscore the broader value of peer-to-peer learning across work environments.
To explore how this knowledge-sharing can be integrated into structured workplaces, Allwork.Space also spoke with Judy Ryan, CEO of LifeWork Systems, an award-winning consultancy specializing in workplace culture and leadership development. Ryan explains that her company reinforces learning through educational best practices, including the flipped classroom model, where participants first engage with content independently and then apply it in group sessions guided by peers or instructors.
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In a coworking context, this approach could include tutorials, articles, or videos for independent review, followed by collaborative workshops, meetups, or informal discussions where members practice skills, share insights, and apply knowledge to real-world projects. This transforms coworking spaces into environments where learning is embedded into daily interactions, making professional development communal and continuous.
LifeWork Systems implements this model through its CultureEX program, offering fourteen months of structured online learning, reflection, and small-group discussions. Ongoing mentoring reinforces outcomes, helping participants develop practical skills, self-awareness, and stronger relationship management.
As mentoring continues, participants support one another’s development, strengthening both interpersonal skills and professional expertise.
“When monthly mentoring is ongoing for every person, at every age, and in every role — without exception — this is one great way to support continuous learning,” says Ryan.
Coworking centers could replicate this model by offering industry-specific peer mentoring, scheduled coaching sessions, and structured opportunities for members to develop professional skills.
Student Learning Hubs
There is a growing trend of positioning coworking spaces near universities in the U.S. According to one study, 80% of the top 100 U.S. universities have at least one coworking space within two miles of their campus.
These spaces offer students affordable access to professional environments, with median prices around $124 per month, and some as low as $70. For example, New York University is surrounded by 220 coworking spaces, providing students with ample networking opportunities and real-world office experience. This proximity allows students to transition smoothly from academic settings to professional careers, enhancing their employability and entrepreneurial prospects.
Two coworking-based learning models stand out for their impact on students. The first is the university-sponsored space, designed for students, researchers, and faculty, offering academic resources, collaborative zones, quiet study areas, and often free or subsidized access.
The second is the hybrid coworking space, a partnership between universities and businesses that provides students access to academic tools, hands-on experience, and professional connections alongside their coursework.
These coworking learning models enhance the student experience, offering collaboration with relevant industry professionals, access to advanced specialized software and equipment, and settings conducive to supporting research and coursework. When these spaces also include structured programs — such as workshops, peer review sessions, and regular check-ins — they help increase student engagement and accountability.
Coworking Spaces Designed to Enable Learning
Typical coworking layouts dedicate roughly half of their space to open-plan desks, with the remainder divided between meeting rooms, amenities, and private zones. The design of a coworking space is central to how people work, connect, and learn.
Open, light-filled areas encourage collaboration and social interaction, while quieter, semi-enclosed spaces support deep focus and reflection. The most effective coworking centers support both community-driven and individual learning by offering a balance of collaborative and private spaces.
Research reinforces this link between design and learning outcomes. A study of 350 coworkers across 27 locations found that people performed better in spaces intentionally arranged to promote engagement and collaboration.
Similarly, an analysis of 140 million data points from a London flexible workspace showed that layout directly affects whether individuals share knowledge or work independently.
For instance, hierarchical designs — where certain areas are more important or exclusive — can unintentionally discourage collaboration and limit informal learning. By contrast, non-hierarchical layouts encourage open dialogue, experimentation, questions, and collaboration without fear of judgment.
In this way, the coworking layout itself becomes a learning tool, shaping both individual focus and collective knowledge sharing.
Even small design choices matter. Ryan notes that arranging a room so everyone can see each other enhances collaboration during group sessions. Gal Leslie, Director at 2-Work, adds:
“When people can work where and how they need, it becomes easier to explore new ideas, collaborate, and learn from those around them.”
The Future of Coworking and Education
Valued at $22.01 billion in 2024 and projected to reach $82.12 billion by 2034, the coworking industry is entering a stage of maturity that allows operators to expand their focus. This creates a timely opportunity for flexible workspaces to integrate structured learning and professional development into their service provision.
Some coworking spaces are already seizing this opportunity, serving as specialized hubs for innovation and skills development.
In Mérignac, France, Masterwork operates as the first coworking space dedicated entirely to intercultural and language training, offering instruction in more than ten languages. Meanwhile, La Briquetterie in Marseille focuses on corporate training, supporting over 200 businesses and planning partnerships with schools.
The convenience and accessibility of coworking spaces further reinforce their potential to evolve into continuous learning ecosystems.
In a recent Allwork.Space podcast, IWG CEO Mark Dixon emphasized that the flexible workspace industry is fundamentally about convenience — a factor that makes local, easily accessible spaces especially valuable for busy professionals seeking to develop new skills.
By leveraging technology, professional development within coworking spaces becomes even more accessible, with digital platforms for peer-to-peer learning, AI-driven tutorials, and hybrid tools that combine in-person and online experiences. Emerging immersive technologies, such as augmented and virtual reality, may soon enable even more interactive, hands-on training within coworking environments.
With convenient locations, flexible schedules, and advanced learning tools, coworking spaces can become dynamic hubs for professional development, connecting students and members to the resources, networks, and guidance they need to thrive in a rapidly changing labor market.
