Research on the L&D goals and challenges for employees in Australian enterprises
Is upskilling a priority?
Improving diversity and prioritizing inclusion are high on the agenda for enterprises in the APAC region, according to our research at Go1. While the global focus is heavily on skills development, only 32% of Australian respondents cited upskilling as a goal — 22% less than the global average. But this doesn’t necessarily mean upskilling and retention aren’t important in Australia and nearby enterprises throughout the Asia-Pacific region. It could indicate these teams feel they’re more advanced in these areas compared to their US and UK counterparts that were surveyed, making them a lower priority moving forward. Further differences emerge in specific learning goals over the next 12 months.
Business skills: HR, interpersonal skills, and data analysis
Globally, HR skills lead the way as the only skill that at least 50% of teams agree is a priority. This is especially true in larger enterprises (55%). In the Asia-Pacific, skills on teamwork are 17% less in demand, replaced by data analysis (34%) in the top three most important. This shift makes sense, as a recent study by RMIT found that data analysis skills are lacking in Australia—a quarter of respondents said their data skills are outdated or not at the required level.
Leadership skills: Attracting and retaining talent, navigating change, and developing the next generation
Fundamentally, businesses need talent to survive. Recruiting enough talented individuals can lead to a company’s success, while losing top talent to competitors can spell trouble. Therefore, it’s no surprise that 51% of teams globally say the ability to attract and retain top talent is the most important leadership skill. In Australia, the top three leadership skills look slightly different, with navigating uncertainty (41%) and developing the next generation of leaders (41%) joining the top three.
Technology skills: Basic IT, data analysis, and software development
Basic IT skills, like learning Excel, PowerPoint, or Microsoft Office, are the top technology-specific area for development with employees. In APAC, unlike the UK or US, software development and programming skills are prioritized over AI, with 49% of respondents showing interest. Data science and data analysis also trump AI, reflecting the need for better data handling and analysis capabilities. AI skills are less popular in Australia compared to the global average, with only 37% of respondents interested in developing AI skills, aligning with the reduced investment in AI within the country thus far.
Learn more from Go1’s research into L&D priorities in the full ENGAGE Report
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