As artificial intelligence (AI) reshapes the workplace, human resources leaders are grappling with emerging challenges in skill development and validation, according to CompTIA’s sixth annual Workforce and Learning Trends report.
 

The rapid pace of technological change has created fresh skill shortages, pushing HR to prioritize training in AI, cybersecurity, and data analytics. The report reveals that 91% of companies now emphasize skills development and internal talent mobility, reflecting a strategic shift toward building workforce capabilities from within.

Yet, despite these efforts, 81% of HR professionals acknowledge their organizations still lack the ideal skill sets to fully succeed. This gap underscores the urgency to adapt learning approaches and invest in effective upskilling programs.

CompTIA highlights five key trends shaping HR strategies in 2025:
 

• The acceleration of tech advancements sparks new skill shortages
• Greater importance placed on validating knowledge, skills, and tasks (KST)
• Employees gaining autonomy over their own training choices
• Human-AI collaboration challenging traditional learning methods
• Digital fluency becoming a cornerstone of future work readiness

Tim Herbert, Chief Research Officer at CompTIA, points out, “HR leaders face an especially complex environment, requiring a mix of innovative training technologies and approaches to meet evolving talent needs.”

Investment in training is rising, with 57% of HR leaders planning to increase budgets this year, especially within small and medium-sized businesses. Meanwhile, 97% stress the value of industry-recognized certifications for validating technical competencies, and 93% incorporate these certifications into their hiring criteria.

While companies continue to expand teams to fill critical roles, the report notes a parallel increase in layoffs, indicating a dynamic but cautious labor market.

The study surveyed 1,109 HR and learning professionals across the U.S., Australia, Canada, the U.K., Japan, South Africa, and the Benelux region.

For organizations navigating rapid change, CompTIA’s research offers a timely roadmap on how to cultivate skills and leverage certifications to stay competitive in an AI-driven world.

Source: CompTIA’s “Workforce and Learning Trends” Report, May 2025


 
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