More than half of workers believe AI skills will future-proof their careers, but only 13% have been offered such training opportunities - Randstad data reveals

• Despite a 20 fold surge in roles demanding generative AI skills and over 50% of employees believing that the skill set will be essential for their role, only one in ten (13%) have been offered any AI training in the last year 
• Nearly half (47%) of those surveyed are excited about the prospect of AI in the workplace, a more common attitude than concern, which was expressed by two in five (39%) 
• Gen Z ranks learning & development (23%) as the highest non-financial motivator at work 

Randstad's latest Workmonitor Pulse survey, based on insights from job postings and the views of over 7,000 employees around the world, finds that the majority (52%) believe that AI will improve their career and promotion prospects, far outstripping fears of using the technology. 

A further 53% see AI as carrying an impact on their industries and roles.  However, a concerning gap lies in training and development on this technology: a mere 13% of employees have been offered any AI training in the last year. This is despite one in three (33%) employees saying they already use AI within their day to day roles. 

The research also shows surprising differences between countries when it comes to usage and understanding of the impact of AI on jobs, as well as the training offered to them to meet employers' changing expectations. 

In India, more than half (56%) of workers said they already use AI in their role, followed by Australia (32%), US (29%), and Germany and UK (24%). India is also the market where the most people (70%) believe the technology will impact their industry and role, with its influence understood by around half of workers in the US (51%), Australia (48%), UK (47%) and Germany (46%).

employers should address gap in training expectations 

The majority of those surveyed (55%) are well aware that learning and development will be important to future proof their careers and earning potential. One fifth (22%) of employees would like to be offered AI training in the next twelve months, which was the third most desired upskilling opportunity behind leadership skills (24%) and wellbeing and mindfulness (23%). While most employees have clarity on the importance of how AI skills can support them in their current and future roles, a significant gap exists between the training they desire and training they receive. 

When it comes to AI skills training the research found that only 13% of global respondents received training in the previous 12-months, whilst 22% expect it in the following period. The gap in AI training between offered and desired is highest in Germany (13pp), U.K. (12pp) and USA (8 pp), whilst employees are most satisfied with the training provided in India (6pp) and Australia (9pp). 

On the whole, nearly 25% of those surveyed have reported they did not receive any learning and development opportunities in the past 12-months, and the figure widens when considering blue-collar workers (41%).

training increases in importance versus flexibility 

When looking at generational differences, the data shows that Gen Z now value learning and development (23%) more highly than flexibility at work (18%) and company culture (16%), whilst remuneration still remains of primary importance. In India however, learning & development (32%) is considered more important than pay (20%) or flexibility at work (23%), and learning on AI tops the development wish lists, with a third (30%) wanting to receive training in the next year.

Younger staff are also feeling the most empowered to take action if their demands on training are not met, with two fifths (42%) saying that they would quit a job if they were not offered learning and development opportunities in the next twelve months, more than double the number of baby boomers (18%). 

Sander van ‘t Noordende commented: “It is clear that more employers are seeking talent with AI skills - our own analysis of job ads shows a 2,000% uptick since Q1. AI is increasingly an enabler and enhancer of skills, holding a profound impact on productivity and overall performance in the workplace. But the imbalance between skills demanded by businesses and desired by employees, on the one hand, and the training opportunities provided, on the other, has to be addressed.

AI is here to stay and the benefits of it are very clear - our data shows that employees stand ready to embrace it for their own gain too. Successful organizations will be those that leverage this readiness and harness the opportunities of AI in their workforce."

randstad digital 

Randstad has recently announced the launch of a new organization, Randstad Digital, which specializes in meeting the technology talent needs of multinational companies across a wide range of industries. To address the widening training gap, Randstad’s new business offering will provide companies with customized solutions that will ensure future readiness for further technological innovation. 

To learn more about randstad digital please read here. 

Country data

The training demand and supply:

Job posts referencing generative AI skills have risen by 2,000% since March 2023, but the largest training gap lies in AI itself: it’s the 3rd most sought after skill set but one of the lowest provided.

Generations at work

Who is most excited about the prospect of AI in the workplace?

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