The latest L&D news, reports, research and updates, personally compiled by TJ’s Editor, Jo Cook
Udemy’s annual report finds enterprises are leveraging GenAI to maximise productivity and unblock human-powered upskilling
Udemy, a leading online skills marketplace and learning platform, has released its 2025 Global Learning & Skills Trends Report. Leveraging data from nearly 17,000 of Udemy’s enterprise customers, this annual study explores the top themes and most in-demand skills shaping the future of learning and work.
This year’s report found that as organisations continue to lean into generative AI, they’re more invested in its specific, practical applications that will help maximize productivity, with a dual focus on soft skills development and leadership to guide employees through this shift successfully.
Are today’s entry-level employees ready for the job? Survey says… not quite
According to a recent survey from General Assembly, many employees and executives feel that new professionals across industries aren’t quite hitting the mark. In fact, only 48% of employees and 12% of mid-level execs believe entry-level employees are prepared for their roles.
The survey revealed that more than a quarter of vice presidents and directors alike (27%) would pass on hiring today’s entry-level employees. Among adults overall, 23% echoed this sentiment. This reluctance may be a sign that current hiring strategies and training models need a refresh to keep pace with evolving workforce demands.
New report from The Smarty Train reveals failures in early careers as nearly one in three graduates and apprentices leave by year three
The Smarty Train, the UK-based people and learning consultancy, today announces its inaugural 2025 Early Careers Trends Report, gathering robust data from UK and global businesses, revealing an alarming one third (29%) of Early Careers joiners leave by their third year of employment.
With the typical cost per hire, per graduate costing over £3,200, the report found that nearly threequarters of organisations (74%) are unable to confidently demonstrate a Return on Investment (ROI) from their Early Careers initiatives
New study finds that 40% of global tech professionals expect to make at least three career changes
Report commissioned by Amadeus uncovers five key priorities prized by technology professionals as they consider their careers, work environment and mental health.
- Nearly all (94%) tech professionals see career changes ahead and will leave if they don’t get the right training
- Innovation is a magnet for tech professionals even above salary
- DE&I is a central focus for tech professionals, particularly AI Engineers
Gen Z and millennial workers are struggling with productivity: How can employers help younger generations thrive?
A new study has revealed that friction in the workplace is causing a worrying productivity divide between bosses and their employees, and it was particularly low for Gen Z and millennial workers. The research by the London School of Economics and Protiviti discovered that more than one-third of Gen Z employees reported low productivity, while 30% of millennials described themselves as unproductive.
Millennial and Gen Z employees believe that improving their skills in active listening, time management, judgement, and decision-making will increase their productivity. This demonstrates that, while both generations have strong skills in these areas, they believe that employers should do more to help them increase productivity and advance in their roles.
Talogy research highlights disparity between the expectation of early careers professionals and hiring managers
New research from Global Talent Management firm, Talogy, highlights a disparity between the immediate hiring requirements in organisations and what early careers professionals are seeking.
The research, Hiring Future-Ready Early Talent, surveyed more than 1200 managers, recent employees, and early career seekers across the world. It found that organizations are more focused on immediately plugging the gap than providing some of the longer-term opportunities for their development. However, candidates are increasingly looking for higher salaries and the opportunity for learning and development, both of which have taken a back seat following the pandemic and cost of living crisis.
Artificial Intelligence tops IT decision-makers’ list of investment priorities as skillset ranked lowest amongst team members
Skillsoft, a leading platform for transformative learning experiences, has released its 2024 IT Skills and Salary Report. Based on insights from more than 5,100 global IT decision-makers and professionals, the annual report examines the state of the IT industry and highlights the growing need for workforce upskilling and reskilling to keep pace with technological advancements.
Key findings from this year’s report include:
- AI remains the top investment priority for IT decision-makers as they rank this skillset lowest amongst team members across nearly 30 competencies.
- IT decision-makers are struggling most with hiring cybersecurity and information security talent (38%). One-in-five are having difficulty finding AI talent.
- 65% of IT decision-makers say there are skill gaps across their teams, with 72% planning to address them through training existing talent
Research suggests new ways to motivate employees through rewards and incentives
Winter is the least motivating time for employees. 56% of employees showed a preference for unexpected rewards and 97% would feel more motivated if their company showed care for their community. 69% think their employer could improve their R&I offering.
Asked whether an anticipated or unexpected reward was more motivating, 56% of respondents in the survey said an unexpected reward from their workplace would motivate them more. In addition, 50% of respondents said they don’t feel valued by their employer and 69% think their employer could improve their reward and incentive offering.
