How Can India’s Workplaces Stay Ahead in the Skills Race?
Source – Workplace Learning Report 2025 (India Edition)
In today’s fast-changing world of work, organisations are only as resilient as their people. And in India, nearly half of learning and talent development professionals (46%) say their executives are worried that employees lack the skills needed to deliver on business strategy. This skills gap is more than a challenge—it’s a crisis.
The Workplace Learning Report 2025 (India Edition) points to a clear answer: learning, when paired with career development, holds the key to adaptability, retention, and growth. Leadership training, internal mobility, and coaching are no longer “nice-to-have” perks—they are the building blocks of future-ready organisations.
Career development is also the No. 1 motivation for employees to learn. When people see progress in their careers, they stay engaged. When they don’t, they leave, taking their skills and potential elsewhere.
So, what does the India edition of this year’s report tell us about the organisations that get career development right?
Key Takeaways from the India Edition
Career Development Champions are pulling ahead
Only 32% of organisations in India qualify as “career development champions”—those with mature, well-structured programs that deliver real business impact. These champions talk about growth and they actively create opportunities through leadership development, coaching, and internal mobility.
Investment is on the rise
A promising 79% of organisations in India will maintain or increase investment in career-driven learning this year. Champions use at least 33% more career development tactics than others, showing that consistent and diversified investment matters.
The AI advantage
Career development champions are 42% more likely to be frontrunners in generative AI (GAI) adoption compared to their peers. Globally, 51% of champions report being at the “leading” or “accelerating” stage of GAI adoption, against 36% of non-champions. In other words, building strong careers also builds readiness for tech-led transformation.
Barriers remain, but leadership isn’t the problem
The biggest hurdles for India’s organisations are time and resources. 41% cite lack of employee support, 38% point to limited internal job opportunities, and 32% say managers lack support. Interestingly, only 6% believe leadership doesn’t value career development. The intent is there—but systemic enablers are missing.
Career development = business growth
Organisations that prioritise career development are more confident about profitability, talent attraction, and retention. They also report higher energy and innovation levels, positioning themselves strongly for the next era of work.
The Workplace Learning Report 2025 makes one thing clear: in India, career development is an employee benefit as well as a business strategy. Organisations that commit to structured learning and growth pathways are more adaptable, more innovative, and more profitable.
The skills crisis may be real, but so is the solution. By giving employees the tools, opportunities, and support to grow, organisations not only secure their own future but also contribute to building a resilient and skilled workforce for India.
After all, great companies are built on great careers.
You can read the full report here.
