Only 24 per cent of workers worldwide believe they have the skills they need to advance to the next job level, according to a new global study by ADP Research. Analysts say this gap may be leaving valuable potential untapped.
ADP Research found that just 17 per cent of workers strongly agree their employers invest in the skills required for career advancement. Nela Richardson, chief economist at ADP, said the findings indicate a missed opportunity for companies seeking a more productive and loyal workforce. “If companies want to benefit from the enormous technological advancement to come, they must start with investing in the skills and career progression of their workers,” she said.
The study is part of the refreshed “People at Work 2025” report series, which draws on responses from nearly 38,000 working adults in 34 markets. Mary Hayes, research director of People & Performance at ADP Research, said employers face growing pressure to help workers keep pace with changing demands.
“Only 24 per cent of workers are confident that they have the skills needed to advance in the next three years of their careers,” she said.
ADP Research’s analysis revealed that workers who receive training are nearly six times more likely to recommend their employer and twice as likely to have no plans to leave. The survey also showed that cycle workers — employees who perform repetitive daily tasks — report especially low satisfaction in upskilling opportunities, with only nine per cent of men and seven per cent of women expressing a positive outlook.
Regional trends vary. Workers in the Middle East and Africa are most likely to believe they have the skills needed to move up (38 per cent), with Latin America next (32 per cent). North America sits at 22 per cent, followed by Asia-Pacific at 21 per cent and Europe at 17 per cent.
“People at Work 2025” will publish a series of reports on topics ranging from artificial intelligence to wage trends. Richardson said the data is intended to help business leaders address skills development in a more global and detailed way. “The future of work will be increasingly global and dynamic in its priorities,” she said.
ADP Research noted that the global workforce survey behind “People at Work 2025” aims to inform decision-makers in HR and C-suite roles about worker sentiment, with the goal of helping employers address challenges and improve their talent strategies.
