Simplilearn has released the results of its 2023 State of Upskilling Study. The survey included individuals from various industries and focused on upskilling and skills in demand. This report focuses on professionals’ expectations for 2023, their outlook on the impact of upskilling on their career growth trajectories, and the types of upskilling courses they are likely to take this year.
Consumer surveys for 2023 show that learner sentiment has changed significantly from last year. By 2022, 30% of her respondents would like to reorient to a new career. This figure will rise to 41% for her in 2023 and for professionals seeking a career change in 2023. A similar change can be seen in the way skills are upgraded. According to Simplilearn’s State of Upskilling 2022 study, 59 percent of professionals took self-study courses, 33 percent of learners enrolled in part-time courses, and 51 percent earned a skilled certification. However, in 2023, 51% of professionals said they would prefer to enroll in a part-time or online certification when it comes to their desire to upskill. Only a minority choose to study on their own (23 percent), open source projects (12 percent), or enroll in full-time college (7 percent).
Simplilearn Co-Founder and Chief Operating Officer Kashyap Dalal shared his thoughts on the research, stating: Around the world, office attendance norms are returning. Our professionals actively develop relevant skills in the best possible way, either through online certification or self-study. They understand the importance of upskilling and its positive impact on career growth. Sharpened new skills remain the most powerful weapon in a professional’s arsenal, for those who are confident that their existing job will lead to a better pay, job, or desired promotion. Moreover, with the rise of generative AI and new digital economy technologies, learners are eager to upskill in the same or related fields. “
Insights from the SimpliLearn 2023 Consumer Research Report:
● Gender and Demographics: 49% of respondents were from first-tier cities in India
The survey consisted of 71 percent male, 25 percent female and 4 percent LGBTQA+, of whom 49 percent reside in Tier 1 Indian cities and 23 percent reside outside India.
● Occupation and title: 38% include individual contributors
Of the respondents, 38% were individual contributors, 28% were managers, 17% were students, 9% were freelancers, 4% were vice presidents or department heads, and 4% were chief executive officers. Respondents’ major divisions included IT – 34%, Marketing – 18%, Engineering – 15%, and Production – 10%.
● Industry and workplace: 32% of respondents came from technology and computers
Among respondents, major industries included Technology and Computers – 32 percent, BFSI – 11 percent, Education – 11 percent, and Consumer Products and Services – 10 percent. 51% worked from home, 27% hybrid and 22% in the office.
● Upskilling and expectations from 2023: 95% say that upskilling will help them advance their career
51% of respondents enrolled for a part-time or online certification, 23% engaged in self-study, 12% participated in open source projects, and 7% attended college full-time. Data Science and Business Analytics were the most in-demand skills, followed by Program and Project Management at 40%, AI and ML at 35%, and Cloud Computing and DevOps at 31%.
● 30% of respondents believe that upskilling will help them get a job with a new employer.
Regardless of which method of upskilling respondents choose, 30% believe they will get a new job at a new company, 25% believe upskilling will open up new opportunities in their current workplace, and 22% believe that They expect their salary to increase after being upgraded, and 16% believe that upskilling will help them get the promotion they want.
Top 4 in-demand skills
Research shows that learners are most interested in upskilling in the following skills:
o Data Science and Business Analytics – 41%
o Program and Project Management – 40%\%
o AI and ML – 35%
o Cloud Computing and DevOps – 31%
Most desired skill areas by company size:
o Small businesses (49 employees or less) cite digital marketing as the most desirable skill. Companies with more than his 50 employees, medium and large companies (4,999 employees or less) were looking for data science and business analytics skills.
o 5,000 to 9,999 large enterprises likewise want data science and business analytics, cloud computing and DevOps, and business strategy and product management as their top skills.
o Companies with over 10,000 employees are most in demand for program and project management skills.
Most sought-after skills in each industry – AI and ML skills are in highest demand across sectors such as Agriculture, BFSI, Energy, Mining & Utilities, Media & Telecommunications. Other skills that are in high demand across the sector include:
o Agriculture: AI and ML, software/full-stack development
o BFSI: Data Science and Business Analytics, AI and ML
o Consumer Products and Services: Data Science and Business Analytics, Business Strategy and Product Management, Digital Marketing
o Education: Data Science and Business Analytics, Software/Full Stack Development
o Energy, Mining & Utilities: AI & ML, Program & Project Management
o Government and Public Sector: Program and Project Management, Cyber Security
o Healthcare and Life Sciences: Program and Project Management, Business Strategy and Product Management
o Manufacturing, Automotive, Aerospace: Data Science and Business Analytics, Program and Project Management
o Media and Communications: AI and ML, Cyber Security, Digital Marketing, Program and Project Management
o Technology and Computers: Program and Project Management, Cloud Computing and DevOps
