Lepaya: State of Skills Report

In this week’s TalentTech Weekly, we explore the latest report from Lepaya: State of Skills 2024. As organizations shift toward a skills-based approach to ensure their teams remain competitive and future-proof, businesses are rethinking traditional training methods, and prioritizing skills that support growth and innovation.

At DevSkiller, we believe in the power of data-driven talent development. Our approach helps organizations identify existing skills and actively plan for the future by filling gaps with targeted training. The right strategy can turn challenges into opportunities in today's unpredictable market.

Download the report here: [LINK]

Let’s dive in!

Resilience in the face of change: a shift in priorities

According to Lepaya’s report, resilience was a crucial focus in 2022, as companies wrestled with labor shortages, mass layoffs, and disruptions caused by new technologies. However, 2023 saw a shift—while resilience remained important, the spotlight turned to intentional learning. Training in this area surged by 461%, reflecting a need for employees to take control of their development and careers.

Despite ongoing market instability, training hours for resilience decreased by 37%. This shift signals a transformation in how companies are preparing their teams—not just to react to crises but to thrive through proactive upskilling. As the report states, intentional learning is “the new resilience,” with companies adopting more forward-thinking strategies to build adaptable teams ready for future challenges.

HR technology and skills management platforms like DevSkiller emphasize continuous learning paths. By offering employees the tools to guide their own career development, you can empower your team to nurture self-driven talent, ensuring long-term stability and success.

As industries evolve, employees must embrace innovative approaches. This is particularly relevant in sectors such as technology, healthcare, and entertainment where the rapid pace of AI adoption demands a workforce that can both learn and relearn skills as the landscape shifts. This change reflects a broader movement toward lifelong learning as a core element of workforce strategy.

Collaboration, leadership, and analytical thinking among the top skills?

Lepaya’s analysis of the top skills trained reveals that collaboration, leadership, and analytical thinking remained consistent. These skills are critical to building strong management teams capable of tackling complex challenges. However, the report introduces a critical question: Why do these three skills continue to dominate, even in an ever-changing market?

The answer lies in the fundamental role these skills play in an organization’s success. Whether it’s navigating technological disruption or driving innovation, teams need effective leaders, strong collaborators, and data-driven decision-makers. This is why collaboration and leadership training featured prominently in sectors like consultancy, retail, and technology, with over 107,000 hours spent honing these capabilities.

Mapping these essential skills against real-time performance data enables companies to continuously monitor and improve their teams. Whether you’re developing leadership pipelines or fostering collaboration, data-driven insights help you create a skills-first culture, where employees are equipped to excel in the modern workplace.

Regional insights: How industries are upskilling for the future

Lepaya’s report explores how upskilling trends vary across regions and industries. The report focuses on the Benelux, DACH, and United States markets, each of which has adopted unique strategies for training their workforces.?

In the Benelux region, for example, companies focused heavily on intentional learning and leadership development, investing 16,832 hours into upskilling in consultancy and professional services. In the DACH region, however, the emphasis was on collaboration and influence, particularly in industries like manufacturing, where 14% of all skills trained were aimed at addressing labor shortages.?

“We see an increased appetite for working towards a skills-based organization from our clients and intentional learning could play a significant role in up-or reskilling the workforce.” Marlene De Koning , Director HR - Tech & data at PWC

In the United States, the tech sector led the charge in analytical thinking, with companies investing heavily in training their employees to make data-driven decisions. As the demand for roles such as Data Analysts, Business Intelligence Specialists, and Digital Marketing Experts grows, analytical thinking has become a cornerstone of career development in the tech industry. These capabilities are crucial for ensuring that companies remain competitive in a data-rich environment where the ability to interpret information is as valuable as the information itself.

Across these regions, the common thread is clear: targeted upskilling is crucial for industries looking to adapt to both current and future challenges. By aligning training programs with specific industry needs, companies can ensure that their workforce is not just prepared for today but is positioned to lead in the years ahead.

Read the full report now: [LINK]

NextGen Workforce Webinar Series Part II: Reskilling and upskilling strategies in the digital age

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In the digital age, staying competitive demands more than just adopting the latest technology. It requires a workforce capable of adapting to new challenges and opportunities. The need for reskilling and upskilling is more critical than ever, as businesses navigate the rapid changes brought about by digital transformation.

The second installment of our NextGen Workforce Series explores the strategies organizations can implement to reskill and upskill their employees, ensuring they are equipped to thrive in the digital age. As automation, AI, and advanced technologies reshape the workplace, HR leaders must proactively foster a culture of continuous learning and development. This webinar is designed to provide you with actionable insights and strategies to build a future-ready workforce.

Sign up here: [LINK]