Train Me or I’ll Leave: The Critical Role of Upskilling in an AI-Driven Workplace
As AI continues to reshape the modern workplace, one trend is becoming increasingly clear: employees want more than just a job—they want the opportunity to learn, grow, and adapt to changing demands. Yet paradoxically, while the need for new skills has never been higher, many organisations are scaling back their investment in training.
Research from the UK Employer Skills Survey 2022[i] highlights the urgent need to address this growing skills gap. This survey, conducted before the launch of OpenAI’s ChatGPT 3.0 in November 2022—which arguably marked the start of the AI revolution—surveyed more than 70,000 employers. It revealed that 21% of organisations reported a skills gap within their workforce, meaning current employees lacked the skills needed to perform their roles effectively. Despite this, only 60% of organisations had funded or arranged any training for staff over the past 12 months, down from 66% in 2017.
The Growing Skills Gap in an AI-Driven Workplace
Two years on, AI is already transforming industries by automating routine tasks, accelerating decision-making, and providing real-time insights. Yet, while AI can handle many lower-level tasks, it also creates demand for higher-order human skills—such as critical thinking, creativity, emotional intelligence, and problem-solving. These are skills that machines cannot yet replicate.
Many tasks require a hybrid approach where AI complements human effort rather than replacing it entirely. This means employees need to be trained to:
Work effectively with AI tools.
Focus on high-value tasks that require uniquely human capabilities.
Interpret AI-driven insights and apply them in business contexts.
Many organisations were already struggling to keep up with the rapid evolution of technology. Today, they’re failing to equip employees with the necessary skills to work alongside AI and take on higher-value tasks.
The "Train Me or I’ll Leave" Phenomenon
It’s no longer enough to offer competitive salaries or flexible working arrangements. Today’s employees are increasingly career-focused, seeking roles that allow them to build future-proof skills. This expectation has contributed to the "Train Me or I’ll Leave" phenomenon.
Without adequate training, employees feel undervalued, disengaged, and unprepared for future challenges – leading them to see opportunities elsewhere. A LinkedIn Learning report found that 94% of employees said they would stay longer at a company if it invested in their professional development.[ii]
AI has enormous potential to significantly improve productivity - something most Western economies desperately need. However, if organisations fail to help employees understand how to harness its power, that potential will go unrealised. It’s akin to buying a Ferrari without anyone knowing how to drive it.
Building AI-Ready Teams
As AI becomes embedded in more workflows, organisations could focus on building cross-functional teams where employees are trained not only in their core skills but also in AI-related competencies. These “AI-ready” teams can adapt quickly to changing business needs and leverage AI to create greater value.
Organisations can introduce AI literacy programmes that help all employees – regardless of role – understand how AI tools work and how to use them effectively.
The message is clear: train your people, or they’ll leave. And with the pace of change accelerating, the time to act is now. Investing in training isn’t just about employee satisfaction—it’s about building a productive, future-ready organisation that can thrive in an increasingly AI-driven world.
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Is your organisation ready to embrace AI and unlock its full potential? Ensuring your employees have the right skills to work alongside AI is crucial for long-term success. Let’s talk about how to upskill your workforce and improve their AI literacy. Whether you're looking to create AI-ready teams or run AI literacy programmes, I can help.
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