- In FY2012, four out of five companies experienced reduced recruitment costs through effective in-house talent development.
- 64% are focused on developing new skills for early career professionals to drive business growth.
- Looking ahead, companies continue to prioritize training in artificial intelligence, data science and cybersecurity, reflecting the ongoing demand for these critical skills.
Great Learning is a leading global edtech company in higher education and professional training. “Workforce Skills Evolution Report 2024-25”Based on trends seen among Great Learning's client partners across sectors and insights from a survey of more than 100 learning and development (L&D) and business unit leaders, the report provides a comprehensive look at key training trends and forecasts for FY 25. It synthesizes these insights to illustrate how organizations plan to leverage talent development to drive growth, foster innovation, and build sustainable competitive advantage.
Over 58% of organizations report increased L&D budgets in FY25
In FY24, four in five companies reported that effective in-house talent development reduced recruiting costs. For 64% of these companies, the primary purpose of their talent development investments was to foster new skills among early career professionals to drive business growth. Meanwhile, 36% of organizations were focused on increasing productivity, innovation and creativity to improve overall effectiveness and foster a culture of innovation.. In light of these trends, and recognizing the value of a skilled workforce, 58.5% of organizations In India We increased our L&D budget in FY2013.
AI, data science and cybersecurity will remain top human resource development priorities in FY2013
In FY24, Indian companies placed a strong focus on training in AI, machine learning, data science and data engineering, with 76.6% of companies prioritizing these areas. The IT sector led these investments, followed by companies specializing in analytics and digital solutions. This focus is expected to continue in FY25, with the survey indicating that most organizations plan to increase investments in employee training in these critical areas. This ongoing effort highlights the essential role that data-driven insights and machine learning play in driving business innovation and operational efficiency.
Data science and AIML remain top priorities in FY25, particularly in the consulting (44.4%) and energy (41.7%) sectors, highlighting their commitment to strategic decision-making and business innovation. Cyber security continues to emerge as a key focus area for the BFSI sector in FY25, reflecting the need to protect sensitive data and comply with regulations. It is also important in the IT/ITeS sector due to the sheer volume of digital transactions and data. Additionally, cloud computing remains a key priority in both the IT/ITeS and energy sectors, highlighting the growing importance of scalable and efficient digital infrastructure.
Generative AI training requirements for organizations to expand beyond technical roles in FY25
Interest in generative AI surged across sectors in FY24, driven by its potential to enhance decision-making, drive innovation and improve competitiveness. In FY25, in response to strong market demand, at least 50% of organizations plan to upskill their teams on generative AI. In particular, companies are looking to expand GenAI training beyond technical roles to include broader capabilities to automate repetitive tasks and drive efficiency.
operation appeared as Targeting key non-tech sectors for GenAI upskilling, followed by customer service and HR. This strategic shift aims to automate repetitive tasks, increase efficiency, and reduce reliance on humans (potentially impacting labor costs). Overall, this trend reflects a broader organizational move to integrate AI-powered solutions to drive innovation and operational improvements across functions.
GCCS develops future workforce for innovation hub
In FY24, the Global Capabilities Center (GCC) focused its L&D strategy on improving agility and future-proofing the workforce, with a focus on key areas such as AI, machine learning, and data science. Moving into FY25, the GCC plans to expand its L&D initiatives to include emerging technologies such as generative AI, data analytics, and cloud computing, with a focus on future-ready skills. This expansion is aimed at driving global innovation, increasing organizational efficiency, and positioning the GCC as a key hub for technological advancements and operational excellence.
In FY24, 80% of L&D programs for young professionals lasted between 2-12 weeks.
Over 80% of L&D initiatives for young professionals, especially in the IT/ITeS, analytics/consulting, and BFSI sectors, were structured as 2-12 week programs with an average of 15 hours of training per week. These programs aimed to bridge the gap between academic learning and industry skill requirements. Meanwhile, over 67% of training for mid- and senior-level managers in manufacturing and retail/e-commerce focused on data-driven decision-making and technical skills, typically requiring only a few hours per week so as not to impair productivity. For senior leaders, companies preferred 1-3 day capsule workshops that combined training on new technologies with leadership development.
Commenting on the report, Ritesh Malhotra, Corporate Head, Great Learning, said: “The report highlights a concerted shift towards developing an adaptive workforce and moving away from a one-size-fits-all training approach. Organizations now recognize that generative AI training is essential to achieving business goals at every level of the workforce. By extending this training beyond traditional technical roles, companies are taking a strategic L&D approach and realizing significant cost savings by empowering employees to streamline processes, automate routine tasks, and drive innovation more effectively. Today, Global Capability Centers (GCCs) have evolved from being mere recipients of change to being active drivers of change. They are investing heavily in training on cutting-edge technologies such as generative AI, data analytics, and cloud computing to drive global innovation and increase organizational efficiency.“
About Great Learning
Great Learning is a leading global Ed-Tech company for professional learning and higher education. It offers comprehensive, industry-relevant, hands-on learning programs across various business, technology and interdisciplinary domains that drive the digital economy. These programs are developed in collaboration with the world's leading academic institutions and offered in various formats, such as certificate programs (3-11 months), online degrees and hybrid degrees. Great Learning leverages highly qualified, world-class faculty from these universities and a vast network of 7,000+ industry expert mentors to deliver an unparalleled learning experience to over 11 million learners from over 170 countries around the world.