GITNUXREPORT 2025

Upskilling And Reskilling In The Adult Industry Statistics

Adult upskilling boosts job security, productivity, and workforce adaptability significantly.

Jannik Linder

Co-Founder of Gitnux, specialized in content and tech since 2016.

First published: April 29, 2025

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Statistic 1

45% of adult learners pursue upskilling courses to improve their job security

Statistic 2

62% of adults feel that their current skills are outdated for their job roles

Statistic 3

36% of adults aged 30-45 actively seek additional training and education

Statistic 4

The most popular online platforms for adult reskilling include Coursera, Udemy, and LinkedIn Learning

Statistic 5

54% of adult learners prefer self-paced online courses for upskilling

Statistic 6

The retention rate for online adult education courses is approximately 25-30%, considerably higher for interactive and gamified content

Statistic 7

63% of adults say they would participate in reskilling programs if given accessible opportunities

Statistic 8

The average adult spends about 8 hours weekly on informal learning activities

Statistic 9

40% of adult learners cite the need for flexible learning schedules as a key reason for choosing online platforms

Statistic 10

58% of adult learners in emerging economies focus on entrepreneurship skills

Statistic 11

90% of adult learners believe that reskilling can enhance their employability

Statistic 12

Digital skills represent the most demanded reskilling area, with 78% of adult learners prioritizing it

Statistic 13

The average time to complete a reskilling course is 3 to 6 months, depending on complexity

Statistic 14

65% of adults believe that continuous learning is key to career advancement

Statistic 15

Approximately 70% of adult learners report increased confidence after completing upskilling programs

Statistic 16

44% of adult learners prefer hybrid learning models combining online and face-to-face instruction

Statistic 17

53% of adults aged 25-34 are actively engaged in skill development activities

Statistic 18

77% of adult learners believe that reskilling should be a lifelong commitment

Statistic 19

55% of adult learners report improved job performance after completing upskilling programs

Statistic 20

73% of adult learners prefer to learn through real-world projects and practical applications

Statistic 21

38% of adult learners say that reskilling has directly led to new job opportunities

Statistic 22

54% of adult learners use mobile devices as their primary access point to online learning platforms

Statistic 23

80% of adult learners believe that reskilling is essential in adapting to automation

Statistic 24

Companies investing in employee reskilling see a 21% increase in productivity

Statistic 25

75% of companies report that reskilling programs directly contribute to employee satisfaction

Statistic 26

Companies that offer reskilling programs experience a 30% lower turnover rate

Statistic 27

Reskilling efforts have helped reduce gender disparities in certain tech roles by 15%

Statistic 28

Companies with robust reskilling programs report 33% faster operational transformation

Statistic 29

72% of organizations report that internal reskilling programs have improved overall employee engagement

Statistic 30

The global upskilling and reskilling market is projected to reach $30 billion by 2025

Statistic 31

The global corporate online training market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 9% through 2027

Statistic 32

Expenditure on adult upskilling increased by 15% globally between 2021 and 2022

Statistic 33

The adult education market is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.5% through 2026

Statistic 34

48% of employers believe that soft skills are more important than technical skills for future success

Statistic 35

The top skills adults seek to develop include digital literacy, project management, and data analysis

Statistic 36

The most common barriers to adult reskilling include lack of time (55%) and financial constraints (43%)

Statistic 37

The highest ROI in adult reskilling is seen in sectors like IT, healthcare, and manufacturing

Statistic 38

Nearly 70% of companies plan to increase their investment in upskilling initiatives in the next year

Statistic 39

52% of job openings now list upskilling as a preferred qualification

Statistic 40

68% of working adults believe reskilling is necessary due to rapid technological changes

Statistic 41

82% of HR professionals view reskilling as essential for organizational agility

Statistic 42

The retention rate for reskilling programs is 50% higher than for traditional training methods

Statistic 43

Reskilling initiatives targeting marginalized communities have increased employment rates by 22%

Statistic 44

The most effective adult upskilling programs include mentorship and peer support components

Statistic 45

61% of organizations plan to incorporate AI-driven learning tools to enhance upskilling efforts

Statistic 46

Digital transformation initiatives require reskilling about 65% of the existing workforce

Statistic 47

69% of HR managers see reskilling as critical to future workforce planning

Statistic 48

49% of employers plan to expand their reskilling initiatives in the next 12 months

Statistic 49

87% of workers believe ongoing learning is necessary to stay competitive in the job market

Statistic 50

The most effective adult reskilling programs have a completion rate of over 80%

Statistic 51

Participation in reskilling initiatives correlates with a 25% increase in promotion opportunities

Statistic 52

65% of employees believe that reskilling initiatives improve organizational culture

Statistic 53

Companies investing in reskilling report an average ROI of 20% within the first year

Statistic 54

Reskilling programs focusing on digital literacy have a 90% success rate in job placement

Statistic 55

78% of adults feel that employers should provide more reskilling opportunities

Statistic 56

The percentage of companies implementing formal reskilling programs increased by 40% in the last three years

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Key Highlights

45% of adult learners pursue upskilling courses to improve their job security
The global upskilling and reskilling market is projected to reach $30 billion by 2025
62% of adults feel that their current skills are outdated for their job roles
Companies investing in employee reskilling see a 21% increase in productivity
36% of adults aged 30-45 actively seek additional training and education
Nearly 70% of companies plan to increase their investment in upskilling initiatives in the next year
The most popular online platforms for adult reskilling include Coursera, Udemy, and LinkedIn Learning
54% of adult learners prefer self-paced online courses for upskilling
The retention rate for online adult education courses is approximately 25-30%, considerably higher for interactive and gamified content
48% of employers believe that soft skills are more important than technical skills for future success
63% of adults say they would participate in reskilling programs if given accessible opportunities
The average adult spends about 8 hours weekly on informal learning activities
40% of adult learners cite the need for flexible learning schedules as a key reason for choosing online platforms

As the adult industry evolves amidst rapid technological change, upskilling and reskilling have become vital, with 45% of learners seeking courses to secure their jobs and the global market projected to hit $30 billion by 2025, underscoring a transformative shift toward continuous education and skill enhancement in adult careers.

Adult Learner Preferences and Behaviors

45% of adult learners pursue upskilling courses to improve their job security
62% of adults feel that their current skills are outdated for their job roles
36% of adults aged 30-45 actively seek additional training and education
The most popular online platforms for adult reskilling include Coursera, Udemy, and LinkedIn Learning
54% of adult learners prefer self-paced online courses for upskilling
The retention rate for online adult education courses is approximately 25-30%, considerably higher for interactive and gamified content
63% of adults say they would participate in reskilling programs if given accessible opportunities
The average adult spends about 8 hours weekly on informal learning activities
40% of adult learners cite the need for flexible learning schedules as a key reason for choosing online platforms
58% of adult learners in emerging economies focus on entrepreneurship skills
90% of adult learners believe that reskilling can enhance their employability
Digital skills represent the most demanded reskilling area, with 78% of adult learners prioritizing it
The average time to complete a reskilling course is 3 to 6 months, depending on complexity
65% of adults believe that continuous learning is key to career advancement
Approximately 70% of adult learners report increased confidence after completing upskilling programs
44% of adult learners prefer hybrid learning models combining online and face-to-face instruction
53% of adults aged 25-34 are actively engaged in skill development activities
77% of adult learners believe that reskilling should be a lifelong commitment
55% of adult learners report improved job performance after completing upskilling programs
73% of adult learners prefer to learn through real-world projects and practical applications
38% of adult learners say that reskilling has directly led to new job opportunities
54% of adult learners use mobile devices as their primary access point to online learning platforms
80% of adult learners believe that reskilling is essential in adapting to automation

Adult Learner Preferences and Behaviors Interpretation

As the digital age transforms workplaces at breakneck speed, nearly 80% of adults see reskilling as the key to survival amidst automation, with over half embracing flexible, online, and practical learning to turn today’s skill gaps into tomorrow’s job security—proving that lifelong learning is no longer optional but essential for thriving in the modern economy.

Corporate Implementation and Impact of Reskilling Programs

Companies investing in employee reskilling see a 21% increase in productivity
75% of companies report that reskilling programs directly contribute to employee satisfaction
Companies that offer reskilling programs experience a 30% lower turnover rate
Reskilling efforts have helped reduce gender disparities in certain tech roles by 15%
Companies with robust reskilling programs report 33% faster operational transformation
72% of organizations report that internal reskilling programs have improved overall employee engagement

Corporate Implementation and Impact of Reskilling Programs Interpretation

Investing in adult industry reskilling programs isn't just about staying relevant—it's a proven strategy that boosts productivity, satisfaction, and diversity, all while keeping turnover low and transformation swift, proving that upskilling is the adult industry’s secret sauce for sustainable growth.

Market Size and Growth Trends

The global upskilling and reskilling market is projected to reach $30 billion by 2025
The global corporate online training market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 9% through 2027
Expenditure on adult upskilling increased by 15% globally between 2021 and 2022
The adult education market is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.5% through 2026

Market Size and Growth Trends Interpretation

As the adult industry in education gears up for a future worth $30 billion and a steady CAGR, it's clear that investing in lifelong learning isn't just a trend—it's the smart move for both workers and markets waiting to be upskilled and reskilled into tomorrow.

Skills Demand, Barriers, and Effectiveness

48% of employers believe that soft skills are more important than technical skills for future success
The top skills adults seek to develop include digital literacy, project management, and data analysis
The most common barriers to adult reskilling include lack of time (55%) and financial constraints (43%)
The highest ROI in adult reskilling is seen in sectors like IT, healthcare, and manufacturing

Skills Demand, Barriers, and Effectiveness Interpretation

As employers increasingly favor soft skills over technical expertise—while adults chase digital literacy and project management—time and money remain the greatest hurdles, yet sectors like IT, healthcare, and manufacturing still promise the highest reskilling ROI, highlighting a paradox of opportunity amid barriers in the adult industry.

Upskilling and Reskilling Strategies and Investment

Nearly 70% of companies plan to increase their investment in upskilling initiatives in the next year
52% of job openings now list upskilling as a preferred qualification
68% of working adults believe reskilling is necessary due to rapid technological changes
82% of HR professionals view reskilling as essential for organizational agility
The retention rate for reskilling programs is 50% higher than for traditional training methods
Reskilling initiatives targeting marginalized communities have increased employment rates by 22%
The most effective adult upskilling programs include mentorship and peer support components
61% of organizations plan to incorporate AI-driven learning tools to enhance upskilling efforts
Digital transformation initiatives require reskilling about 65% of the existing workforce
69% of HR managers see reskilling as critical to future workforce planning
49% of employers plan to expand their reskilling initiatives in the next 12 months
87% of workers believe ongoing learning is necessary to stay competitive in the job market
The most effective adult reskilling programs have a completion rate of over 80%
Participation in reskilling initiatives correlates with a 25% increase in promotion opportunities
65% of employees believe that reskilling initiatives improve organizational culture
Companies investing in reskilling report an average ROI of 20% within the first year
Reskilling programs focusing on digital literacy have a 90% success rate in job placement
78% of adults feel that employers should provide more reskilling opportunities
The percentage of companies implementing formal reskilling programs increased by 40% in the last three years

Upskilling and Reskilling Strategies and Investment Interpretation

As the workforce grapples with rapid technological shifts, a growing chorus of employers and employees alike are betting on reskilling—fueling organizational agility, boosting retention, and proving that in the race for skills, those who invest in adult learning are the true winners.