New Delhi, November 19th, 2024: Udemy, a leading online skills marketplace and learning platform, today unveiled its Q3 2024 Global Workplace Learning Index highlighting emerging professional and technical skills as well as key learning trends. This quarterly report provides insights into which skills are growing in demand and helps organizations stay ahead of the competition as they continue to navigate changing workforce dynamics, accelerated digital transformation, and evolving industry needs.
The India data in the latest Index reveals a significant surge in demand for enhancing communication and cloud technology skills among learners in India. The following percentages reflect the highest surge in course consumption in India in Q3:
- Business English (148%)
- Software Development (73%)
- ECMAscript (67%)
- Oracle Cloud (45%)
- Amazon Bedrock (41%)
There is a significant demand for proficiency in Business English and Software Development, as these skills not only improve workplace communication but also empower professionals to upskill in modern tech tools and stay competitive in a fast-evolving job market. Many organizations have begun the transition to a skills-based approach given the increased demand for a variety of emerging skills for the workforce to stay relevant. This holistic approach to skill-building is essential for professionals aiming to thrive in today’s dynamic professional landscape. In addition, there is an increased emphasis on the development of both technical and professional skills, where professionals can enhance their career advancement prospects and better align with the increasing needs of organizations.
Vinay Pradhan, Country Manager & Senior Director, Udemy India, said “The momentum towards a skills-based economy in India is gaining significant traction, as nearly 16 million professionals are utilizing the Udemy platform to enhance their skills and prepare to become a future-ready workforce. As industries evolve, organizations are focusing on upskilling their employees with more balance between soft and technical skills, both of which are critical for creating a balanced, agile workforce. This shift emphasizes the importance of continuous learning, enabling professionals to progress in their careers and organizations to develop a more adaptable workforce capable of tackling modern business challenges.”
“Today, professionals and organizations worldwide understand the need to upskill quickly to stay ahead of cutting-edge tools and topics, enabling career development and better business outcomes,” said Scott Rogers, Senior Vice President of Instructor and Content Strategy at Udemy. “SHRM’s State of the Workplace report revealed that 53% of organizations are prioritizing upskilling and reskilling employees to improve productivity, particularly in response to AI and an aging workforce.”
In Q3, the following global themes took center stage for professional upskilling:
- Personal Productivity is on the rise: The global workforce places a strong emphasis on enhancing productivity and efficiency, underscoring the need for professionals to optimize business outcomes despite limited resources. Personal Productivity emerged among the top 10 in-demand professional skills this quarter, experiencing an increase of 17% in Q3.
- Professionals are embracing Time Management techniques: There continues to be a broader cultural shift where professionals are increasingly looking for ways to stay competitive while maintaining a work-life balance. As a result, Time Management was one of the most popular skills amongst learners this quarter, with a 12% increase compared to Q2.
- Companies are doubling down on Strategy and Leadership skills: As organizations enter planning season for 2025, business strategy and management skills are critical focus areas for professionals looking to grow in their careers, with topics such as Marketing Strategy (26% increase), Business Communication (19% increase), Product Management (15% increase), and Project Management (12% increase) also rising in popularity among global employees. Interestingly, Emotional Intelligence saw a 12% increase, aligning with organizations’ efforts to foster better leadership skills and interpersonal dynamics.
- The race toward Generative AI (GenAI) and automation is on: In the global tech sector, companies are focused on skills that can accelerate automation, data-driven decision-making, and the adoption of GenAI. Linux Administration was the fastest-growing technical skill in Q3 with a 36% hike, highlighting the need for businesses to adopt tools enabling the shift to cloud platforms. Additionally, GenAI (26% increase) has become one of the largest areas of skills acquisition on the Udemy platform with strong sustained growth. Skills in AWS Certified Data Engineer (25% increase) reflect the focus on harnessing data and AI for seamless automation.
Forward Thinking: Adopting Skills-Based Strategies To Foster Workforce Agility in 2025
With 2025 positioned to be a pivotal year of change, Udemy will continue spotlighting key learning trends at its annual FWD 2024 events where leaders can exchange insights on crafting exceptional learning experiences. These events will cover how organizations can drive the future of work and transition to a skills-based approach to enhance workforce agility, drive innovation, and achieve sustainable growth, along with a sneak preview of GenAI innovations within the Udemy Intelligent Skills Platform. Upcoming FWD events include:
- FWD Bengaluru on November 26
- FWD Mumbai on November 28
Peter Kokkinos, Vice President & Managing Director for the Asia-Pacific region at Udemy, said “We are excited to bring our annual FWD events to India again this year, following a successful global series that has welcomed thousands of professionals from around the world. We look forward to engaging with local industry leaders and exploring the latest trends in learning and development. This dynamic forum provides an invaluable opportunity for our customers and prospects in India to stay ahead of the curve, driving sustainable value for their organizations and equipping them for the future of learning.”