Employees fear obsolete skills as training lags behind

The TalentLMS Annual L&D Benchmark Report reveals employees' increasing concern about their job skills becoming obsolete and finds that current training programs are not being delivered quickly enough to address rapid changes.

The survey, conducted among 1,200 employees in the United States, indicates that 63% of employees feel their existing training programs need major improvements. When broken down by generation, Gen Z employees show the least satisfaction with company training efforts, whereas Millennials exhibit the highest satisfaction levels.

The report identifies a disconnect between the way training is delivered and the most effective learning methods for employees. A notable 58% of participants admitted to multitasking during training sessions, suggesting significant issues with engagement. Younger employees, particularly Millennials (67%) and Gen Zers (63%), are more likely to multitask during these sessions, compared to Gen X (57%) and Boomers (44%). Moreover, nearly a third of respondents mentioned that they tend to forget the content soon after training sessions.

The data suggests a preference for more interactive and adaptable learning formats. Multimedia was selected by 53% of respondents as the most engaging format, followed by self-paced learning at 49%. However, some employees, 23%, reported reluctance to request additional training due to unspecified budget concerns.

Despite these obstacles, there is a clear appetite for learning and adaptation, with employees particularly keen on AI-related training. The survey states that 49% of employees feel AI is advancing more rapidly than their company's ability to train them, with over half (54%) noting a deficiency in clear guidelines for using AI tools. A significant 65% of respondents expressed a need for training on safe and ethical AI use.

As technological changes accelerate the obsolescence of skills, 69% of the workforce highlight the need for faster development and implementation of new training programs. Among the training topics requested most frequently were leadership and management, soft skills, and digital skills.

"AI is reshaping how we learn and work, and with its rapid pace of disruption, the desire to learn has never been stronger," said Nikhil Arora, CEO of Epignosis, the parent company of TalentLMS. "People want to feel confident in their abilities, skills, and roles—and learning is what brings a deeper sense of purpose and meaning to work. The data is clear: employees are eager for development opportunities. By leveraging personalized and flexible learning tools to meet this demand, organizations can close skills gaps, unlock potential within their teams, and achieve greater results."

The findings present a considerable opportunity for companies to improve training initiatives and support employees in developing necessary skills. With 37% of Gen Z employees considering job changes by 2025 if training needs are not met, firms that commit to upskilling efforts could enhance retention rates and develop a more resilient and engaged workforce.