GITNUXREPORT 2025

Upskilling And Reskilling In The Education Industry Statistics

Upskilling drives digital transformation; global market and workforce prioritize continuous learning.

Jannik Linder

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

First published: April 29, 2025

Our Commitment to Accuracy

Rigorous fact-checking • Reputable sources • Regular updatesLearn more

Statistic 1

The global corporate training market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 10.4% from 2021 to 2028, reaching USD 355 billion

Statistic 2

47% of industry leaders believe that virtual and augmented reality will become common in corporate training within 5 years

Statistic 3

The demand for multilingual training content is rising, with over 60% of global companies expanding their language offerings to cater to diverse workforces

Statistic 4

The use of virtual labs and simulations in training has increased by 85% since 2019, providing practical experience in a virtual environment

Statistic 5

Over 60% of global organizations are investing in AI-driven learning analytics to personalize training content, improving learning outcomes

Statistic 6

88% of learners feel that multimedia content, such as videos and interactive modules, enhances their learning experience, which is vital for effective upskilling

Statistic 7

By 2025, over 363 million jobs globally may be transformed due to automation and AI, necessitating upskilling and reskilling

Statistic 8

Nearly 40% of companies indicated that lack of skills is a significant barrier to digital transformation

Statistic 9

The most in-demand skills for 2023 include AI, machine learning, cloud computing, and cybersecurity

Statistic 10

58% of students believe that digital skills will be more important than traditional literacy skills in the near future

Statistic 11

78% of students believe that online education helps develop skills they find difficult to learn in traditional settings

Statistic 12

90% of executives believe that soft skills are equally or more important than technical skills for future-ready talent

Statistic 13

The global skills gap is projected to cost economies over $8.5 trillion annually by 2030, emphasizing the need for urgent upskilling

Statistic 14

72% of students in higher education recognize the importance of soft skills alongside technical expertise, to remain competitive

Statistic 15

The median time to fill a digital skills gap in a company is approximately 145 days, underlining the urgency of proactive upskilling

Statistic 16

45% of HR managers believe that AI will completely automate skills assessments in the next 5 years, streamlining recruitment and upskilling pathways

Statistic 17

The use of micro-credentials and digital badges for upskilling recognition has grown by over 200% since 2018, encouraging learners to pursue targeted skill development

Statistic 18

84% of employers worldwide are actively involved in reskilling employees

Statistic 19

The global edtech market is expected to reach $605.4 billion by 2027, driven by upskilling initiatives

Statistic 20

70% of employees believe that their organization should provide ongoing upskilling and reskilling opportunities

Statistic 21

Only 20% of adults globally have received any formal upskilling or reskilling training

Statistic 22

60% of learners prefer online courses for upskilling due to flexibility and accessibility

Statistic 23

The number of corporate e-learning users is projected to reach over 310 million by 2025

Statistic 24

66% of employees said their company’s reskilling efforts positively impacted their productivity

Statistic 25

85% of jobs that will exist in 2030 haven’t been invented yet, emphasizing the importance of continuous upskilling

Statistic 26

The number of adults enrolled in digital upskilling courses increased by 42% during the COVID-19 pandemic

Statistic 27

91% of organizations say that digital transformation has increased the need for reskilling their workforce

Statistic 28

75% of companies report difficulty in finding talent with required digital skills, highlighting the importance of internal upskilling

Statistic 29

Investments in reskilling initiatives increased by 50% globally in 2022 compared to previous years

Statistic 30

68% of learners believe that microlearning is highly effective for upskilling and reskilling

Statistic 31

Nearly 60% of organizations plan to increase their budget for upskilling and reskilling programs in the next year

Statistic 32

The number of learners participating in MOOCs increased by over 150% from 2015 to 2020, driven by upskilling needs

Statistic 33

65% of employees agree that digital upskilling improved their ability to perform their jobs

Statistic 34

The average time spent on corporate digital training sessions increased from 20 minutes to 45 minutes during the pandemic, indicating growing engagement

Statistic 35

81% of learners prefer bite-sized content for skill development, aiding effective upskilling

Statistic 36

Employer-sponsored educational assistance programs increased by 30% post-pandemic, supporting employee upskilling

Statistic 37

The majority of young workers (under 30) view upskilling as essential to career advancement, with 78% active in seeking learning opportunities

Statistic 38

55% of companies are integrating AI and machine learning in their upskilling curricula to prepare employees for future roles

Statistic 39

90% of learners report increased confidence after completing upskilling courses, facilitating workplace advancement

Statistic 40

The use of AI-powered personalized learning platforms increased by 120% between 2018 and 2022, enabling tailored upskilling experiences

Statistic 41

62% of companies believe that lack of digital skills hinders their innovation capabilities, showing the importance of reskilling

Statistic 42

Only 15% of global organizations have full-scale internal reskilling programs, indicating significant growth opportunities

Statistic 43

By 2024, it is estimated that 50% of online learners will be seeking certifications aligned with specific job roles, increasing the need for industry-aligned upskilling content

Statistic 44

The adoption of blockchain credentials in education and training has increased by over 70% since 2020, providing verifiable proof of skills and reskilling achievements

Statistic 45

65% of learners prefer gamified learning platforms for upskilling, which enhances engagement and retention

Statistic 46

Companies investing in reskilling report a 33% increase in employee retention, highlighting the link between internal growth opportunities and loyalty

Statistic 47

55% of higher education institutions plan to expand online and hybrid learning offerings to accommodate upskilling needs

Statistic 48

The global demand for data analysis and data science skills has doubled since 2018, indicating the emphasis on data literacy in upskilling programs

Statistic 49

80% of HR professionals agree that upskilling programs are crucial for organizational agility in a rapidly changing digital landscape

Statistic 50

73% of organizations incorporate social learning techniques into their upskilling initiatives, leveraging peer-to-peer knowledge sharing

Statistic 51

The adoption rate of mobile learning platforms for upskilling increased by 130% from 2019 to 2022, facilitating learning on the go

Statistic 52

80% of companies report that their upskilling efforts directly contributed to improved business performance, such as increased revenue or customer satisfaction

Statistic 53

Investment in reskilling initiatives among small and medium enterprises increased by 35% in 2022, showing a growing recognition of its importance outside large corporations

Statistic 54

65% of adult learners prefer self-paced learning modules, which allow flexibility for upskilling alongside other commitments

Statistic 55

The global investment in AI training tools for upskilling is projected to reach $2.5 billion by 2025, highlighting the growing role of AI in education

Slide 1 of 55

Sources

Our Reports have been cited by:

Trust Badges - Publications that have cited our reports

Key Highlights

By 2025, over 363 million jobs globally may be transformed due to automation and AI, necessitating upskilling and reskilling
84% of employers worldwide are actively involved in reskilling employees
The global edtech market is expected to reach $605.4 billion by 2027, driven by upskilling initiatives
70% of employees believe that their organization should provide ongoing upskilling and reskilling opportunities
Nearly 40% of companies indicated that lack of skills is a significant barrier to digital transformation
The most in-demand skills for 2023 include AI, machine learning, cloud computing, and cybersecurity
Only 20% of adults globally have received any formal upskilling or reskilling training
60% of learners prefer online courses for upskilling due to flexibility and accessibility
The number of corporate e-learning users is projected to reach over 310 million by 2025
66% of employees said their company’s reskilling efforts positively impacted their productivity
The global corporate training market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 10.4% from 2021 to 2028, reaching USD 355 billion
85% of jobs that will exist in 2030 haven’t been invented yet, emphasizing the importance of continuous upskilling
58% of students believe that digital skills will be more important than traditional literacy skills in the near future

With over 363 million jobs worldwide set to be transformed by 2025 due to automation and AI, the education industry faces a critical need to ramp up upskilling and reskilling efforts, as evidenced by the rapid growth of the edtech market and the overwhelming demand for digital skills.

Corporate Training Market

The global corporate training market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 10.4% from 2021 to 2028, reaching USD 355 billion

Corporate Training Market Interpretation

As the global corporate training market surges toward a staggering USD 355 billion with a 10.4% CAGR, it's clear that in the education industry, the only skill that’s in decline is the one that refuses to evolve.

Corporate Training Market and Adoption

47% of industry leaders believe that virtual and augmented reality will become common in corporate training within 5 years
The demand for multilingual training content is rising, with over 60% of global companies expanding their language offerings to cater to diverse workforces

Corporate Training Market and Adoption Interpretation

With nearly half of industry leaders betting on virtual and augmented reality revolutionizing corporate training and a majority expanding multilingual content, the future of education is not just virtual and diverse but critically immersive and inclusive—an escalation from traditional classrooms to a global, high-tech stage.

Digital Learning and Education Technologies

The use of virtual labs and simulations in training has increased by 85% since 2019, providing practical experience in a virtual environment
Over 60% of global organizations are investing in AI-driven learning analytics to personalize training content, improving learning outcomes
88% of learners feel that multimedia content, such as videos and interactive modules, enhances their learning experience, which is vital for effective upskilling

Digital Learning and Education Technologies Interpretation

As the education industry pivots toward virtual labs, AI-powered personalization, and multimedia magic, it’s clear that the future of upskilling is not just digital but dynamically tailored to turn learners into lifelong innovators.

Skills Gap and Future Workforce Trends

By 2025, over 363 million jobs globally may be transformed due to automation and AI, necessitating upskilling and reskilling
Nearly 40% of companies indicated that lack of skills is a significant barrier to digital transformation
The most in-demand skills for 2023 include AI, machine learning, cloud computing, and cybersecurity
58% of students believe that digital skills will be more important than traditional literacy skills in the near future
78% of students believe that online education helps develop skills they find difficult to learn in traditional settings
90% of executives believe that soft skills are equally or more important than technical skills for future-ready talent
The global skills gap is projected to cost economies over $8.5 trillion annually by 2030, emphasizing the need for urgent upskilling
72% of students in higher education recognize the importance of soft skills alongside technical expertise, to remain competitive
The median time to fill a digital skills gap in a company is approximately 145 days, underlining the urgency of proactive upskilling
45% of HR managers believe that AI will completely automate skills assessments in the next 5 years, streamlining recruitment and upskilling pathways
The use of micro-credentials and digital badges for upskilling recognition has grown by over 200% since 2018, encouraging learners to pursue targeted skill development

Skills Gap and Future Workforce Trends Interpretation

With nearly 400 million jobs at risk of automation by 2025 and a skills gap costing trillions, the education industry must urgently pivot—embracing digital literacy, soft skills, and innovative credentialing—lest we render our workforce obsolete in the AI-driven future.

Workforce Reskilling and Upskilling

84% of employers worldwide are actively involved in reskilling employees
The global edtech market is expected to reach $605.4 billion by 2027, driven by upskilling initiatives
70% of employees believe that their organization should provide ongoing upskilling and reskilling opportunities
Only 20% of adults globally have received any formal upskilling or reskilling training
60% of learners prefer online courses for upskilling due to flexibility and accessibility
The number of corporate e-learning users is projected to reach over 310 million by 2025
66% of employees said their company’s reskilling efforts positively impacted their productivity
85% of jobs that will exist in 2030 haven’t been invented yet, emphasizing the importance of continuous upskilling
The number of adults enrolled in digital upskilling courses increased by 42% during the COVID-19 pandemic
91% of organizations say that digital transformation has increased the need for reskilling their workforce
75% of companies report difficulty in finding talent with required digital skills, highlighting the importance of internal upskilling
Investments in reskilling initiatives increased by 50% globally in 2022 compared to previous years
68% of learners believe that microlearning is highly effective for upskilling and reskilling
Nearly 60% of organizations plan to increase their budget for upskilling and reskilling programs in the next year
The number of learners participating in MOOCs increased by over 150% from 2015 to 2020, driven by upskilling needs
65% of employees agree that digital upskilling improved their ability to perform their jobs
The average time spent on corporate digital training sessions increased from 20 minutes to 45 minutes during the pandemic, indicating growing engagement
81% of learners prefer bite-sized content for skill development, aiding effective upskilling
Employer-sponsored educational assistance programs increased by 30% post-pandemic, supporting employee upskilling
The majority of young workers (under 30) view upskilling as essential to career advancement, with 78% active in seeking learning opportunities
55% of companies are integrating AI and machine learning in their upskilling curricula to prepare employees for future roles
90% of learners report increased confidence after completing upskilling courses, facilitating workplace advancement
The use of AI-powered personalized learning platforms increased by 120% between 2018 and 2022, enabling tailored upskilling experiences
62% of companies believe that lack of digital skills hinders their innovation capabilities, showing the importance of reskilling
Only 15% of global organizations have full-scale internal reskilling programs, indicating significant growth opportunities
By 2024, it is estimated that 50% of online learners will be seeking certifications aligned with specific job roles, increasing the need for industry-aligned upskilling content
The adoption of blockchain credentials in education and training has increased by over 70% since 2020, providing verifiable proof of skills and reskilling achievements
65% of learners prefer gamified learning platforms for upskilling, which enhances engagement and retention
Companies investing in reskilling report a 33% increase in employee retention, highlighting the link between internal growth opportunities and loyalty
55% of higher education institutions plan to expand online and hybrid learning offerings to accommodate upskilling needs
The global demand for data analysis and data science skills has doubled since 2018, indicating the emphasis on data literacy in upskilling programs
80% of HR professionals agree that upskilling programs are crucial for organizational agility in a rapidly changing digital landscape
73% of organizations incorporate social learning techniques into their upskilling initiatives, leveraging peer-to-peer knowledge sharing
The adoption rate of mobile learning platforms for upskilling increased by 130% from 2019 to 2022, facilitating learning on the go
80% of companies report that their upskilling efforts directly contributed to improved business performance, such as increased revenue or customer satisfaction
Investment in reskilling initiatives among small and medium enterprises increased by 35% in 2022, showing a growing recognition of its importance outside large corporations
65% of adult learners prefer self-paced learning modules, which allow flexibility for upskilling alongside other commitments
The global investment in AI training tools for upskilling is projected to reach $2.5 billion by 2025, highlighting the growing role of AI in education

Workforce Reskilling and Upskilling Interpretation

With 84% of employers worldwide actively reskilling their workforce amid a soaring edtech market expected to hit $605.4 billion by 2027, only 20% of adults have received formal training—yet 91% recognize digital transformation's imperative—making continuous, bite-sized, and AI-powered upskilling not just a trend but the lifeline for future-proof careers and corporate resilience.