Organizations Face Growth Risks as Skills Gaps Widen, Skillsoft Research Finds
MWN-AI** Summary
According to Skillsoft's 2025 Global Skills Intelligence Survey, organizations are increasingly confronting growth risks due to widening skills gaps, with only 10% of HR and learning and development (L&D) professionals feeling fully confident in their workforce's capabilities to achieve business objectives in the next 12 to 24 months. The survey, which included 1,000 professionals from the U.S., UK, Germany, and Australia, highlighted a critical shortage of skills in leadership, AI, and technology, essential areas for organizational growth. Alarmingly, 28% of respondents identified skills as the pivotal factor that could determine their organization's success.
Despite the pressing need for enhanced talent strategies, many organizations are still relying on outdated, fragmented approaches to workforce development. While a significant 85% reported having talent development systems, only a mere 6% rated these systems as “outstanding,” and only 20% aligned their strategies with broader organizational goals. The research indicates that most organizations struggle to effectively measure skills and address gaps, impeding their ability to adapt in a rapidly evolving market influenced by AI advancements.
The survey also shed light on workplace challenges that hinder transformation, including employee engagement issues, a focus on immediate results over future planning, and concerns over burnout among employees. Additionally, 41% reported workforce resistance to change, emphasizing the need for organizations to embrace innovative, integrated learning platforms that connect skill development with business objectives.
To remain competitive, leaders must prioritize building actionable skills intelligence by incorporating AI-powered solutions to enhance training personalization and effectiveness. By bridging current skills gaps and reimagining development strategies, organizations can better position themselves for growth and adaptability in a dynamic business environment.
MWN-AI** Analysis
In light of Skillsoft's recent findings, organizations must recognize the pressing need to address widening skills gaps as a barrier to growth. With only 10% of HR and L&D professionals feeling confident in their workforce's abilities to meet immediate business goals, the message is clear: traditional talent development approaches are inadequate in today’s rapidly evolving economic landscape.
Organizations should consider starting with a comprehensive skills assessment to identify current workforce capabilities and the areas that need immediate attention. Given that almost one-third of surveyed professionals see skills as critical for organizational growth, aligning development programs with strategic business goals is essential. The data suggests that many companies are reliant on fragmented and outdated systems, leading to ineffective upskilling and employee disengagement. Transitioning to integrated talent development platforms that leverage skills intelligence is not just a recommendation; it is vital for survival.
As the survey indicates, many organizations fail to adequately prepare employees before promotions and struggle with high turnover rates as agile competitors lure top talent away. Here, a dynamic approach to talent management that incorporates AI-driven solutions could offer personalized learning paths and real-time feedback, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and adaptability.
Furthermore, organizations that proactively foster a climate of engagement and provide AI-enhanced skills intelligence solutions stand to gain the most. With 49% of respondents seeing AI as a means to improve skills analysis, now is the time to invest in technologies that enable a clearer understanding of workforce capabilities.
In conclusion, to mitigate growth risks stemming from skills deficits, organizations must act decisively. By reimagining talent development strategies and placing skills at the center of their business models, leaders can ensure their workforce is equipped to thrive in an increasingly complex and competitive environment.
**MWN-AI Summary and Analysis is based on asking OpenAI to summarize and analyze this news release.
Only 10% of HR and L&D professionals are fully confident that their workforce has the skills needed to meet business goals over the next 12-24 months
Skillsoft (NYSE: SKIL), the platform that empowers organizations and learners to unlock their full potential, today released the results of its 2025 Global Skills Intelligence Survey . The findings reveal that widening skills gaps are now a top barrier to growth and that outdated approaches to talent development are leaving organizations unprepared to meet the demands of a rapidly changing economy.
In a global survey of 1,000 HR and learning and development (L&D) professionals across the U.S., UK, Germany, and Australia, just 10% say they are fully confident that their workforce has the skills needed to achieve business goals over the next 12 to 24 months, with leadership, AI, and technology identified as the most significant shortages. Nearly a third (28%) see skills as the key factor that could make or break their organization’s growth.
Despite this urgency, many organizations are relying on talent strategies and development programs that are outdated and disconnected from workplace outcomes. While 85% of respondents have talent development systems in place, only 6% rate them as “outstanding,” and just 20% believe their talent strategies are aligned with organizational goals. Fewer than one-in-four (24%) are using a consolidated platform approach that provides a clear view of workforce capability. Respondents also highlighted several pain points with their current solutions, describing them as fragmented, overly manual, and lacking customization. These limitations make it difficult to measure skills, address shortages, and build the workforce needed for today’s pace of change.
“Business transformation depends on the strength, adaptability, and skills of the workforce,” said Ciara Harrington, Chief People Officer, Skillsoft. “These findings should be a wake-up call for every leader. Skills gaps are already impeding growth, and traditional approaches to talent development are only worsening the issue. To compete in today’s human-AI world, organizations must place skills at the center of their strategy and evolve toward integrated platforms that connect learning, skills intelligence, and performance in a single place, unlocking a workforce ready for change and innovation.”
Additional key findings from the research include:
Barriers to Transformation and the Talent Imperative
While organizations recognize the need for business transformation in this AI era, many face persistent barriers that put growth at risk and underscore the importance of stronger talent strategies.
- Critical organizational challenges:
- 33% say employee engagement issues are not being effectively addressed
- 27% report their organization is focused on the present rather than planning for the future
- 26% see employees promoted without adequate preparation
- Future of work concerns:
- 37% fear losing top talent to more agile competitors
- 33% cite burnout as a barrier to transformation
- 24% worry AI is advancing faster than workforce upskilling
- AI adoption hurdles:
- 41% say their workforce is resistant to change
- 28% point to the need for greater technical expertise
Smarter Business Decisions Start with Skills Intelligence
Even as leaders prioritize transformation, limited visibility into workforce skills can slow progress, reinforcing the importance of actionable skills intelligence.
- Only 18% measure the success of their talent development programs through the ideal method of regular skill assessments throughout the learning journey
- 91% say employees overstate their skills, most commonly in leadership, technical, and AI expertise, leading to a distorted view of workforce capability
- The “overstatement” of skills impacts businesses by exacerbating skill gaps (36%), reducing productivity (34%), and increasing manager stress (31%)
- 49% see opportunity for AI to enhance skills intelligence solutions to deliver more accurate, actionable skill gap analyses
Reimagining Talent Development for an AI-Native Future
Organizations continue to offer a strong mix of traditional learning experiences, but many are now looking to AI-native capabilities to personalize development and better align talent strategies with business goals.
- Most commonly offered learning experiences:
- Online, video-based training (58%)
- Group training scenarios (57%)
- Mentorship opportunities (50%)
- Live, instructor-led training (50%)
- Desired AI-powered enhancements:
- Adaptive training (43%)
- Real-time feedback (42%)
- Interactive simulations (38%)
- Personalized learning paths (33%)
As workforce needs continue to shift, the research points to the value of connecting skills to every facet of business strategy. Leaders who understand their organization’s strengths and gaps – and act on that insight - will be positioned to adapt faster, perform better, and stay competitive in a changing market.
Additional Resources
- Discover more findings from Skillsoft's research here .
- Visit Skillsoft at HR Tech in Las Vegas on September 16 at booth #1621.
Research Methodology
Skillsoft’s Global Skills Intelligence Survey was conducted online from May to July 2025 through an independent market research firm. The survey yielded 1,000 responses from full-time human resources (HR) and learning & development (L&D) professionals whose organizations have a talent development program in place. Respondents were from four countries: the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, and Australia.
About Skillsoft
Skillsoft (NYSE: SKIL) empowers organizations and learners to unlock their full potential by delivering personalized, interactive learning experiences and enterprise-ready solutions. Powered by AI and strengthened by a broad ecosystem of partners, the Skillsoft platform helps customers solve some of today’s most complex business challenges including bridging skill gaps, improving talent retention, driving digital transformation, and future-proofing the workforce. Skillsoft is the talent development partner of choice for thousands of organizations – including 60% of the Fortune 1000 – and serves a global community of more than 105 million learners. For more information, visit skillsoft.com .
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250903169852/en/
Investors
Ross Collins or Stephen Poe
SKIL@alpha-ir.com
M edia
Cameron Martin
cameron.martin@skillsoft.com
FAQ**
Given that only 10% of HR and L&D professionals are confident in their workforce’s skills, how is Skillsoft Corp (New) Cl A SKIL addressing the widening skills gap to remain competitive in the talent development market?
With 91% of employees overestimating their skills, what innovative features or services does Skillsoft Corp (New) Cl A SKIL plan to implement to provide more accurate skills assessments for organizations?
Considering that 49% see AI enhancing skills intelligence solutions, how is Skillsoft Corp (New) Cl A SKIL leveraging AI to improve its talent development programs and align them with business goals?
As organizations struggle with outdated talent strategies, how does Skillsoft Corp (New) Cl A SKIL intend to evolve its platform to better address the needs and expectations of HR and L&D professionals?
**MWN-AI FAQ is based on asking OpenAI questions about Skillsoft Corp (New) Cl A (NYSE: SKIL).
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