Insights from more than 2,100 global employees about their preparedness to handle workplace challenges organizations are expected to face in 2025.
Skillsoft’s Workplace Challenges and Preparedness Research
2024: A look back at workplace challenges and opportunities
Workplace 2024 Challenges
Respondents' top challenges can be mitigated through thoughtful leadership and enhanced communication from organizations, along with promoting work-life balance and investing in time management skills.
Stagnant career growth
Stagnant compensation
Lack of training and
skills development
None of the above
Concerns about job
security and stability
25%
23%
22%
20%
14%
What helps talent operate more effectively in their roles
28%
Respondents rated their organization’s leadership skills training as excellent
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Global professionals have mixed feelings about the last year, at least professionally. Only a fourth of employees are extremely satisfied with their roles, and just a fifth are extremely satisfied with their organization’s culture, indicating significant opportunities for improvement. Improved communication, attentive leadership, and access to talent development opportunities can address many workplace challenges, such as burnout and feeling undervalued.
Top Skills Being Prioritized Due to The Rise of Generative AI Tools
When talent has access to talent development opportunities they’re not just more effective, but are more engaged, motivated, and satisfied.
What Comes Next?
Enhance Communication and Transparency: Clearly communicate strategic goals and priorities to ensure employees understand their roles and contributions.
Invest in Talent Development: Provide continuous learning opportunities to help employees stay updated with industry trends and develop necessary skills.
Foster a Supportive Culture: Create a positive organizational culture that values employee well-being and engagement to boost job satisfaction.
Offer Mentorship and Coaching: Implement programs that provide guidance and support to help employees grow professionally and personally.
Leverage Technology for Learning: Utilize advanced technologies to create immersive and interactive learning experiences that enhance skill acquisition and retention.
Learn more
Research Methodology:
Skillsoft’s research survey was conducted online from October to November 2024 through the Pollfish platform. The survey yielded 2,150 complete responses from full-time workers across various industries and roles in the United States, United Kingdom, and Germany.
Learn more about this research on our Skillsoft blog
Burnout and exhaustion
Feeling overwhelmed by
workload and responsibilities
Decreased motivation
and engagement
Feeling undervalued
and unappreciated
Frustration due to unclear
expectations & communication
32%
35%
35%
39%
25%
What resources have organizations provided in 2024 to help talent achieve professional goals
Access to certification training courses and resources
None of the above
22%
15%
More flexible and remote
work options
Access to new technology
and tools
New training and
development opportunities
Enhanced communication and
transparency from leadership
Mentorship and
coaching programs
21%
31%
31%
32%
20%
2024: A look back at workplace challenges and opportunities
Global professionals have mixed feelings about the last year, at least professionally. Only a fourth of employees are extremely satisfied with their roles, and just a fifth are extremely satisfied with their organization’s culture, indicating significant opportunities for improvement. Effective communication, attentive leadership, and access to talent development opportunities can address many workplace challenges, such as burnout and feeling undervalued.
There’s a misalignment
in the workplace:
Employees are unsure of
strategic goals and priorities
Less than half of respondents report that their organizations have communicated strategic goals and priorities for the coming year. Among those informed, the focus is on efficiency, revenue growth, and better customer experiences. However, the lack of shared priorities and organizational alignment may lead to unmet goals and failed priorities.
40%
33%
Respondents say they are clear about how their roles contribute to their organizations’ goals and priorities
Respondents say their skill sets are strongly aligned with their organizations’ strategic priorities for 2025
Talent Development is the key to hitting goals and weathering challenges in the new year
This research shows organizations must invest in talent development to retain talent, enhance job satisfaction, and cultivate better leaders and managers, ultimately driving overall success. Training not only prepares employees for future challenges, making them more confident in their roles but also brings unexpected benefits such as increased innovation and improved team dynamics.
Challenges organizations will face in 2025
Organizations must invest in talent development to retain talent, enhance job satisfaction, and cultivate better leaders and managers, ultimately driving overall success.
Skills and competency gaps
Technological disruption
Data privacy and security
Regulatory changes and compliance
Environmental sustainability
and climate change
18%
19%
23%
23%
15%
Talent acquisition and retention
Customer expectations & satisfaction
Leadership and management
Competitive innovation
Market volatility & economic uncertainty
26%
27%
28%
31%
24%
No challenge expected
14%
35%
33%
32%
31%
30%
28%
20%
28%
More personalized training options tailored to the role
More frequent and updated training sessions to keep up with industry trends
Increased access to mentoring and coaching
Greater focus on power skills development like communication and leadership
Enhanced use of tech for immersive and interactive learning
Greater focus on technical skills development like data analysis and prompt engineering
Improved organizational culture and employee engagement
Live instructor-led learning experiences
The U.S. Presidential Election: How might organizations be impacted and how are they preparing for what comes next
The majority of respondents expect the results of the 2024 U.S. Presidential Election to impact the workplace into the new year and beyond. Given the results of this research, how are leaders prioritizing goals and strategies?
What priorities are set to be impacted?
Employee development and career pathing
Use of AI tools in the workplace
71% ..........
69%..........
Factors Positively Impacted
Regulatory compliance requirements
Employee morale and engagement
Factors Negatively Impacted
35%..........
34%..........
Offering cutting-edge technology and tools, and the training to properly use them, can help talent achieve goals and help them feel more confident about challenges that may arise.
Organizations’ strategic goals and priorities
Closing skill gaps and enhancing leadership and management are essential to support the top priorities by ensuring a capable and well-guided workforce.
48%
Respondents say their organizations have shared strategic goals and priorities for 2025
Learn more about this research on our Skillsoft blog
48%
Improving operational efficiency
Highest Strategic
Goals and Priorities
46%
Increasing revenue
and profitability
39%
Enhancing the
customer experience
17%
Enhancing data privacy
and security practices
19%
Enhancing leadership
and management
19%
Closing
skill gaps
lowest Strategic
Goals and Priorities
Learn more about this research on our Skillsoft blog
Learn more about this research on our Skillsoft blog
