By Duncan James
Every era of technology advancement forces organizations to reckon with the future of their businesses and workforces. As corporate leaders evaluate how implementing AI will shape their businesses, employees wonder how this new technology will change their careers and prospective opportunities. In an already challenging economy, it’s estimated that 1.1 billion jobs are likely to be radically transformed by technology by 2030.
Organizational growth and transformation are only possible through transforming the workforce’s capabilities. Leaders can successfully implement AI and new technology from the bottom up by investing in upskilling through end-to-end learning programs. Remaining a cut above competitors starts with upskilling employee populations.
The Upskilling Revolution
The World Economic Forum deemed the 2020s the “decade of upskilling.” That sentiment has yet to be felt by the majority of American workers. Nearly 58% of employees are afraid that their skills have gone stale since the onset of the pandemic. For good reason. The rapid introduction of AI is already on the path toward rendering skills obsolete.
Organizations should pay attention to this industry-shifting signal. WEF’s 2023 Future of Jobs Report estimates that six in 10 workers will require training before 2027, but only half of the workers actually have access to training opportunities that power skill retention and implementation. If 50% of the workforce is removed from the equation, how can companies expect to grow and survive a changing market?
In the AI era, upskilling employees is a matter of time. Further, upskilling is not just a business imperative; it’s necessary for retention. 74% of Millennial and Gen Z employees are likely to quit within a year if they are not offered skills development opportunities.
Continuous learning is a key element of AI introduction. In a world where companies are racing to offer the latest technology, the ability to learn and adapt quickly is a critical competitive advantage. Companies that invest in upskilling their employees are better positioned to innovate, respond to market and technological changes, and rise above their competitors.
The Power of End-to-End Learning
End-to-end learning encompasses ongoing education and skills development throughout an employee’s career, from onboarding to advanced training. This approach ensures that employees are continuously developing their skills and knowledge, powering quick and confident adaptation to new technologies and industry trends.
True end-to-end learning removes silos and ensures employees are learning throughout their time at the company. This holistic approach to learning fosters a culture of continuous improvement and innovation. Employees are not just trained to perform their current roles; they are equipped with the skills, knowledge, and adaptability needed to take on new challenges and drive the organization forward.
Senior L&D Consultant and program Manager at Paysafe Group Companies has seen a cultural shift after integrating end-to-end learning in the organization. “I would say this program is beyond training; it is more about embedding transformation in people’s mindsets.”
End-to-End Learning Starts at The Top
The future belongs to organizations that can learn, master, and apply new skills at scale. In 2021, Amazon announced Amazon’s Upskilling 2025 pledge - a $1.2 billion commitment to skills training programs that provide 300,000 employees with access to education and skills training programs. Just this year, Google released a new e-learning course on Coursera to help workers everywhere understand the basics of AI and expand the development of an AI workforce.
To drive business growth from the bottom up, corporate leaders must prioritize and advocate for continuous learning within their organizations. This means providing access to upskilling opportunities and fostering a culture that values and encourages continuous learning. The companies creating comprehensive end-to-end upskilling programs are the ones guaranteeing themselves a smooth sail in a changing, often tumultuous market.
As AI evolves rapidly, ongoing investment in upskilling through end-to-end learning is crucial for businesses to thrive. Investing in end-to-end learning is not just about preparing for the future; it’s about thriving in the present. It’s about ensuring that every employee has the skills and knowledge they need to succeed and adapt and feel their individual contribution to the organization’s success. The power of end-to-end learning is undeniable, and it’s time for organizations to embrace it.
Duncan James is the general manager for North America at QA, a learning and upskilling transformation company dedicated to serving the skills and talent needs of global digital enterprises in the Fortune 500. QA helps businesses learn, apply, and master skills to drive business transformation outcomes, not just learning outcomes. Prior to QA he has led teams, businesses, regions and clients at IBM, dentsu, WPP and Point B, a mid-market consultancy exited to Endeavour Capital with Duncan as CGO in 2021. Duncan specializes in mid-market, privately backed turnarounds and scale-ups where the thesis requires deep American, global and enterprise audiences.
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