As the corporate world continues to evolve at a breakneck pace, businesses and their workforces must adapt swiftly to remain competitive. The first quarter of 2024 has already shown distinctive trends in workplace learning toward sustainability, artificial intelligence (AI), and information technology (IT) certifications.
Udemy’s Q1 2024 Global Workplace Learning Index provides valuable insights into these developments, drawing from course consumption data across 16,000 companies worldwide.
Sustainability and Supply Chain Skills
One of the most striking trends identified in the report is the 29% increase in demand for sustainability and supply chain skills. This rise is largely driven by impending regulatory changes that require companies to adapt to new standards in sustainability.
The urgency to equip teams with necessary skills is not only a response to regulatory pressures but also aligns with growing investor and customer expectations for sustainable business practices. “More and more organizations are transitioning to a skills-based approach for their workforce,” said Greg Brown, president and CEO at Udemy. “As organizations prepare to address changing ESG requirements while building cross-continental teams and keeping up with the pace of AI adoption, they must invest in the right learning tools so their workforce can develop the skills needed to get ahead.”
Demand for AI Skills
Parallel to the emphasis on sustainability is the sustained strong demand for AI skills, with particular focus on GenAI and cybersecurity. Courses related to GenAI witnessed a 21% increase in consumption, while AI deep learning courses rose by 22%. Cybersecurity skills also saw a similar increase, emphasizing the critical need for security in increasingly AI-driven operations. The integration of AI into daily business operations requires that employees not only understand AI technologies but that they are also prepared to implement and secure them effectively.
IT Demand Continues
The demand for IT certifications continues to be robust, signaling a consistent priority for companies to certify their employees in key technological tools and platforms. Notably, Microsoft Power BI and Amazon AWS certifications are leading the growth, with Amazon AWS certifications experiencing a staggering 140% growth in consumption in the U.S. This trend indicates a clear preference for recognized credentials that validate an individual’s capabilities and skills in high-demand areas.
As we navigate through 2024, these learning trends offer a clear roadmap for organizations aiming to bolster their workforce capabilities. Whether it’s enhancing sustainability practices, integrating advanced AI technologies, or acquiring the latest IT certifications, the focus is unequivocally on building a resilient and forward-thinking workforce. Keeping pace with these trends is not just beneficial but essential for businesses aiming to thrive in a rapidly changing corporate landscape.
Lin Grensing-Pophal is a Contributing Editor at HR Daily Advisor.
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