As CEOs around the globe signal a transition away from remote work place models, many organisations are preparing for a full or partial return to the office. This change signifies not just a shift in location but also in how we view workplace productivity. With employees now gradually returning, the focus has turned to how they can effectively bridge the skills gap that is increasingly arising.
Prioritising upskilling and employee engagement
Companies that prioritise training and development are likely to cultivate a more content, highly skilled and engaged workforce. In today’s competitive job market, the message from employees is clear—they are eager to build their skills. This drive for upskilling results from an unprecedented surge in demand for AI, data, and cybersecurity skills, meaning that employees want to future-proof themselves against technological disruptions. Training and development is one of the most important value propositions employees seek when they are considering joining a new company.
Adapting to Skills-Based Strategies
While the discussion around skills-based strategies in organisations continues, only a small minority of employers are making meaningful progress. HR leaders need to start focusing on skills-based people strategies that are aligned to business goals and offer skills agility that many employers badly need. The Future of Jobs Report 2025 published by the World Economic Forum has stated that employers expect 39% of workers’ core skills to change by 2030. According to Coursera’s Industry Skills Brief from November 2024, key trends highlight the importance of integrating upskilling in the workplace. For instance,
- generative AI course enrolments have skyrocketed, with 89% of executives ranking AI among their tech priorities.
- data skills are consistently in demand, with job adverts increasingly requesting data science expertise across Asia-Pacific.
- a focus in competencies in leadership, change management, negotiation, and collaboration are high on CEO and CPO’s agendas.
- as cybersecurity concerns grow, there remains a high demand for these critical skills across sectors like technology and professional services.
As we navigate this shift back to office-based work, organisations could consider offering upskilling opportunities that are facilitated or enhanced by in-person interaction and collaboration, creating a learning environment that benefits both the company and the employee. Together, they can create an agile workplace that prioritises growth, satisfaction, and adaptability.
It’s critical to measure the effectiveness of skill development initiatives which can be challenging to gauge. Perhaps you can conduct assessments before and after training, and at regular intervals. This will help you determine which skills have been developed and how they’re being used across your workforce. This will also help you measure the ROI of skill development programs. You can track how much has been spent on training and compare it to productivity levels, efficiency and cost savings.