Skillsoft, a leading platform for transformative learning experiences, released new research exploring organizations’ strategic priorities for 2025 and employees’ preparedness to achieve them. Based on a survey of more than 2,100 full-time employees in the United States, United Kingdom, and Germany, the findings reveal that less than half (48%) of respondents have been informed of their organizations’ strategic goals and priorities for the coming year. Of those who have been informed, only 40% say they are extremely clear about their role in achieving these goals, and just a third believe their skills strongly align with them.
Despite the World Economic Forum finding that 60% of organizations identify skills gaps as the single biggest inhibitor for the transformation of their business, just 19% of survey respondents said closing skills gaps were among their organizations’ top priorities for 2025. The largest portion of respondents cited improving operational efficiency (48%), increasing revenue (46%), and enhancing the customer experience (39%). With employees feeling as though development opportunities are lacking, the largest portion expects talent acquisition and retention to be the top challenge their organization faces next year.
“Boosting efficiency, revenue, and customer satisfaction should undoubtedly be business priorities. However, to achieve these, leaders must champion the importance of skills development, integrating it into the core strategic objectives of the organization to ensure that workforce capabilities evolve in tandem with business needs,” said Ciara Harrington, Chief People Officer, Skillsoft. “By creating a strong foundation of talent through training and a consistent strategy communications plan, employees will be better prepared to adapt, innovate, and contribute to their organization’s long-term success.”
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From rapid technological advancements to a new U.S. presidential administration on the horizon, the workplace will continue to shift in 2025, leading to just 23% of respondents saying they feel extremely prepared to handle future work-related challenges. Contributing to this uncertainty, a fifth of respondents identified the lack of training and skill development opportunities as their primary work-related challenge in the past year. Less than a third (31%) said they had received new training and upskilling opportunities or access to new technologies (e.g. GenAI tools) to achieve their professional goals.
To feel more prepared, respondents are primarily seeking personalized, role-based training options, more frequent and updated training, and access to mentoring and coaching. Beyond preparedness, respondents also saw stronger relationships with colleagues, increased confidence in tackling new challenges, and enhanced creativity and problem-solving skills after training and upskilling.
“Access to training and new technologies nurtures continuous learning and adaptability, empowering employees to tackle future challenges,” Harrington continued. “An investment in talent is an investment in the future of your company and its competitive edge.”
SOURCE: Skillsoft
