Perceptyx Research Shows Employees Lack Clarity on Future Skills Needed

TEMECULA, Calif., Sept. 24, 2026 /CourierPR/ -- Perceptyx, a people activation company and employee experience pioneer used by more than 23 million employees across the world’s biggest enterprises, has released new research showing that nearly 40% of employees don’t know which skills their organizations will need in the future, even as 74% say they know which skills they personally need to develop.

The disconnect is particularly pronounced between executives and individual contributors. While 75% of executives say their organization has a clear learning strategy for the next one to two years, just 43% of individual contributors agree, a 32-point gap in how leaders and employees view the direction of learning and development.

The research, based on a July 2026 Perceptyx Workforce Panel of 2,992 employed individuals across North America and Europe, found that nearly 40% (39%) of employees don’t know which skills their organization will need most in the future. Additionally, 44% don’t see a clear learning strategy for the next one to two years, and 40% don’t believe their organization is actively helping employees build skills for future roles.

Moreover, 41% don’t see career opportunities for themselves, even though 70% say they have access to learning opportunities that could help them grow in their careers. Employees generally report that learning is making a difference in their work, with 73% saying learning produces lasting behavior change, and 71% saying it helps them perform their jobs more effectively. However, just 61% say learning programs are connected to broader business priorities, and 58% say employees have enough time during working hours for development.

The findings suggest that employees can see value in learning, but don’t see where that learning is taking them. This distinction becomes more important as organizations navigate changing skill requirements and the rapid adoption of AI. According to recent research from Perceptyx, six in ten employees already use generative AI at work at least occasionally, while 57% say their organization is not helping employees build the skills needed for an AI-enabled workplace.

The research also highlights that the challenge is not simply a lack of learning. Employees generally report that learning is making a difference in their work, but the strategy and conditions surrounding learning are not aligned with broader business priorities. Just 61% say learning programs are connected to broader business priorities, and 58% say employees have enough time during working hours for development.

Perceptyx, the people activation company and employee experience pioneer used by more than 23 million employees across the world’s biggest enterprises, has released new research showing that nearly 40% of employees don’t know which skills their organizations will need in the future, even as 74% say they know which skills they personally need to develop. The disconnect is particularly pronounced between executives and individual contributors, with 75% of executives saying their organization has a clear learning strategy for the next one to two years, compared to just 43% of individual contributors. The research, based on a July 2026 Perceptyx Workforce Panel of 2,992 employed individuals across North America and Europe, found that nearly 40% (39%) of employees don’t know which skills their organization will need most in the future. Additionally, 44% don’t see a clear learning strategy for the next one to two years, and 40% don’t believe their organization is actively helping employees build skills for future roles. Moreover, 41% don’t see career opportunities for themselves, even though 70% say they have access to learning opportunities that could help them grow in their careers. Employees generally report that learning is making a difference in their work, with 73% saying learning produces lasting behavior change, and 71% saying it helps them perform their jobs more effectively. However, just 61% say learning programs are connected to broader business priorities, and 58% say employees have enough time during working hours for development. The findings suggest that employees can see value in learning, but don’t see where that learning is taking them. This distinction becomes more important as organizations navigate changing skill requirements and the rapid adoption of AI. According to recent research from Perceptyx, six in ten employees already use generative AI at work at least occasionally, while 57% say their organization is not helping employees build the skills needed for an AI-enabled workplace.