As the UK grapples with economic uncertainty, businesses face mounting pressure to do more with less.
Workforce expansion and salary increases are stalling, but employees are increasingly turning to digital reskilling to future-proof their careers. Our latest research found that almost four in five (79%) UK employers have seen staff request digital upskilling opportunities over the last twelve months to strengthen their career prospects, particularly in roles linked to emerging technologies like AI and machine learning (ML).
On our platform, demand for AI-related learning materials is soaring with increases across AI programming (66%), data analysis (59%), and operational AI/ML (54%) learning materials. We’ve also seen an uptick in demand for general AI literacy as IT teams encounter the hallucinations generative AI tools can exhibit.
However, given the accelerated integration of generative AI in most enterprises, the need for general AI literacy has extended beyond IT teams. In fact, 60% of enterprises are expected to have adopted generative AI in some form by the end of this year. Yet, while most business leaders agree their workforces need to be reskilled in GenAI, only 10% of workers are currently trained in GenAI tools. Now, non-technical employees are now seeking reskilling opportunities in AI and ML, cybersecurity, data analysis and programming.
This signals a clear shift across every level and department, with more employees keen to understand how emerging technologies will impact their role and offer growth opportunities. So, how can employers ensure that every employee – not just IT – develops the skills to navigate and leverage AI and other digital tools?
Building a culture of continuous learning
Adopting new technologies like AI is only part of the equation. Long-term success depends on a sustained commitment to developing a skilled workforce capable of fostering long-term innovation and growth. As more companies begin to experiment with and deploy AI technologies in different settings, employers must prepare every individual to use these tools effectively. Here, a continuous learning approach will ensure that digital transformation benefits the organisation at every level, driving resilience and adaptability within an evolving tech landscape.
Organisations must embed learning in daily workflows, encouraging curiosity and supporting personalised development. Cross-functional collaboration and knowledge-sharing can help to break down silos, allowing diverse perspectives to be shared amongst teams.
To foster a culture of continuous learning, HR teams should emphasise to management the elements of “re-recruiting”, to highlight the value of continuously investing in and engaging with talent as consciously as during the hiring process. In turn, this will also underscore the importance of employees continually engaging in their own development and growth.
Joining a company is only the beginning, and sustaining a valuable relationship depends on both the organisation’s support and the employee’s commitment to their own continuous development. To thrive, employees must actively seek out skill-building opportunities and leverage the learning resources available to them. Doing so will help employees remain agile within an evolving technological landscape, while also enhancing their own productivity and contributing to overall organisational success.
Providing real-time learning opportunities
For employees seeking opportunities for personal growth, to bridge the gap between learning and day-to-day responsibilities, employers can harness the ‘in the flow of work’ approach to provide staff with real-time access to quality learning content.
This concept was coined by Josh Bersin to describe a paradigm in which employees learn something new, quickly apply it and return to their work in progress. It’s different from traditional learning approaches like attending a seminar or conference. These learning formats are effective, but many employees simply don’t have the time to devote to them or they prefer to learn at a time that suits them best.
Instead, it entails providing employees with tools that allow them to quickly find contextually relevant answers to their questions at a time that suits their schedule. Companies can offer ‘in the flow of work’ learning opportunities via an L&D partner to tailor materials to an individual’s unique learning style and objectives.
This is particularly important not only for young talent who are new to the workforce but also for existing employees who are proactively seeking opportunities to develop their skills and advance their careers. In turn, this approach to workplace learning will increase employee engagement and productivity, fostering innovation and growth that improves the bottom line.
Preparing for the future
In today’s unpredictable economic climate, reskilling and upskilling efforts are more than just a response to immediate challenges – they’re a strategic investment in long-term growth. A commitment to continuous learning equips organisations to stay competitive, while empowering employees to navigate technological advancements with confidence.
For businesses navigating hiring freezes or constrained budgets, prioritising AI literacy and reskilling among their employees in critical areas like cloud computing, data analysis, and cybersecurity can drive innovation and productivity. By supporting these initiatives today, organisations can lay the groundwork for a resilient, future-ready workforce capable of overcoming tomorrow’s challenges.
In an era define by rapid technological change, continuous learning isn’t just a strategy – it’s a necessity. Through reskilling, businesses and employees alike can thrive, proving that adaptability and growth are possible even in the toughest times.
About the Author
Alexia Pedersen is SVP International at O’Reilly. For more than 45 years, O’Reilly has imparted the world-shaping ideas of innovators through books, articles, conferences, and our online learning platform. We connect individuals, teams, and entire enterprises with the world’s leading experts and content providers to teach what they need to change their world. Because learning new skills is at the heart of it all—whether they’re working to advance their career, be a better manager, or achieve the next breakthrough in technology or business. That’s why O’Reilly equips all members with the insights they need via a range of learning formats including live events, instant AI-powered answers, live and on-demand courses, books, hands-on interactive labs and sandboxes, certification prep materials, and more. So, they can stay ahead in an ever-changing economy.
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