RESEARCH REPORT
Future of Skills Development
As AI, automation and emerging technologies reshape work, organizations face growing pressure to understand the skills their workforce needs today and anticipate what they'll need next.
New research from University of Phoenix and The Harris Poll explores how HR leaders are approaching skills development, workforce readiness and skills measurement, and where gaps remain in preparing for evolving workforce demands.
64%
of HR leaders are very confident they know which skills employees need to do their jobs.
43%
of HR leaders are very confident employees possess the skills they need.
46%
of HR leaders are very confident they can predict skills needed in the next 2–3 years.
Source: The Harris Poll survey conducted on behalf of University of Phoenix, July 14–27, 2026, among 755 U.S. HR leaders.