Why Are Firms Focusing on Mid and Senior-Level Employee Training as AI Reshapes Workplaces?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Training Demand Surge: Mid-level training demand increased to 35% in FY25.
- Senior-Level Focus: Senior-level training demand more than doubled.
- Leadership Development: Companies are investing in leadership pipelines and succession planning.
- Sector Emphasis: 48% of organizations prioritizing AI training are from IT/ITeS.
- Tailored Programs: 26% of companies customize training for specific roles.
New Delhi, Oct 13 (NationPress) Organizations are intensifying their efforts in training mid and senior-level employees as artificial intelligence and generative AI transform workplaces, according to a report released on Monday.
In FY25, the demand for training among mid-level employees surged to 35 percent, up from 15 percent in FY24, as reported by the global ed-tech firm Great Learning.
Moreover, the need for senior-level training more than doubled year-on-year, indicating a clear shift towards enhancing leadership pipelines and succession planning, the report highlighted.
This report is based on surveys conducted with Learning and Development (L&D) leaders and Business Unit (BU) heads at large corporations employing over 10,000 individuals.
Training for early-career professionals, which made up over 80 percent of the ed-tech company’s training offerings in FY24, saw a decline in FY25 due to macroeconomic uncertainties that affected large-scale entry-level hiring, particularly in the technology sector.
However, a robust rebound occurred in FY26, with thousands of early-career professionals receiving training in the initial half of the year.
The training efforts are heavily focused on high-demand skills such as AI and Generative AI in alignment with rapidly changing market needs, the report noted.
Approximately 48 percent of organizations emphasizing this area are from the IT and IT-Enabled Services (IT/ITeS) sector, followed by 14 percent from Manufacturing and Supply Chain, and 10 percent each from Banking, Financial Services and Insurance (BFSI) and Healthcare and Pharmaceuticals.
As AI and emerging technologies redefine the work environment, companies are prioritizing internal talent development over traditional hiring methods, stated Ritesh Malhotra, Enterprise Head at Great Learning.
Among companies concentrating on Data Science and Analytics, IT/ITeS leads with 47 percent while BFSI accounts for 21 percent.
To enhance employee retention and career advancement, 26 percent of companies tailor programs for specific roles, while 25 percent update training content to stay in line with industry trends, the report indicated.
Furthermore, 19 percent of companies prioritize certifications, and 13 percent invest resources into collaborating with external experts and conducting regular skills-gap analyses, according to the ed-tech company.