AI is only widening the chasmic skills gap. Here’s how to meet the challenge

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Today’s business landscape is challenging and rife with change. Budgets are tight, competition is fierce, the global talent shortage persists, and new technologies like generative artificial intelligence (AI) are shaking things up, creating both exciting opportunities and an urgent need for upskilling. 

It has arguably never been more important to have an effective training strategy in place. Many companies recognize the vital role employee learning plays in the success of their business, so it’s unsurprising that the learning management system (LMS) market is expected to reach a staggering 51.9 billion USD by 2028.

But what should companies be doing now to support this objective?

Here are five ways leaders can refresh their upskilling efforts to ensure employees are getting the education they need, and to support a culture of continuous learning and development within their organization. 

Use assessment tools to uncover employees’ needs and motivations

It’s impossible to help someone if you don’t know what they need. This simple fact explains why assessment tools are so critical and should serve as the foundation of any training program. Too often, companies apply a one-size-fits-all approach to employee learning, which can lead to redundancies, disengaged employees, and workers that are either overqualified or underqualified for their role. 

Instead, organizations should leverage assessment tools to get a comprehensive picture of where each employee stands with their current skill set. Assessment tools help businesses identify opportunities for upskilling or reskilling, measure learning progress, track the application of new skills in the workplace, and guide individuals along their career paths.

Importantly, assessment tools can also uncover what motivates employees so that companies can tailor their learning programs (more on this later) for optimal outcomes. In some ways, what motivates individuals is even more important than their skill sets: With the right resources, most people can be brought up to speed on just about anything, but if they’re not passionate about what they’re doing, they’re less likely to have a meaningful impact on the business.