Employers lose a full workday every week to skills gaps

“Employers are focused on AI readiness, adaptability, and operational performance, while employees are focused on career mobility, leadership, and advancement. Neither side is wrong – but most training programmes were never designed to bridge that gap.”

The report also found a divide on artificial intelligence. While 83% of employers said they feel confident using AI tools in their current role, only 44% of employees said the same.

Just three per cent of employees also believe AI proficiency is becoming critical to advancement in their role, compared to 18% of employers. More than half of employees (52%) said AI is not currently used in their role at all, while only 14% of employers said the same.

Lapses in training programmes

Training programmes, meanwhile, are failing to close the gap, according to the report. While 77% of employers said training programmes are effective, only 58% of employees agreed, and 71% of employees said training has led to no change in their pay or role.

Among those who said training was not effective, 51% said it is too general or not connected closely enough to their day-to-day responsibilities.