The LinkedIn Workplace Learning Report 2025 has landed, and it’s packed with insights that L&D professionals need to know.
As organisations navigate an era of rapid technological advancement and shifting workforce expectations, the importance of continuous learning and career development has never been more pronounced.
Companies are facing a skills crisis, with nearly half of learning and talent development professionals acknowledging that their employees lack the skills needed to execute business strategy effectively.
What’s the solution?
A renewed focus on career-driven learning, AI-powered skill-building, and internal mobility.
Employees today expect more than just a paycheck—they want meaningful career growth opportunities, access to cutting-edge learning resources, and the ability to move within an organisation to develop their skills.
Companies that fail to deliver risk losing their top talent to competitors who do.
The 2025 Workplace Learning Report sheds light on the biggest trends shaping the future of learning and development, offering data-backed insights on how organisations can thrive.
From AI-driven skills training to the rise of internal career champions, here are the key takeaways that will help L&D teams future-proof their workforce.👇
1. Career Development is Key to Retention and Business Success
Career development isn’t just a nice-to-have—it’s a business-critical strategy. According to the report:
- 91% of L&D pros agree that continuous learning is more important than ever for career success.
- Employees rank career progression as their #1 motivation to learn.
- Organisations that prioritise career development see higher internal mobility, retention, and business performance.
With skills shortages and retention challenges on the rise, organisations that invest in career pathways, mentorship, and leadership development will thrive.
2. AI and Career Development Must Work Together
AI is transforming learning and development at an unprecedented pace.
The report highlights a strong connection between AI adoption and career development success:
- 42% of career development champions are also AI adoption leaders.
- 71% of L&D pros are experimenting with or integrating AI into their work.
- AI enables personalised, on-demand learning, helping employees acquire new skills faster and keeping businesses agile.
The takeaway?
Organisations that integrate AI into L&D strategies will develop skills more efficiently and retain top talent.
3. Internal Mobility is a Rising Priority
Employees today expect career growth opportunities—and if they don’t get them, they leave. The report reveals:
- 55% of career development champions are making internal mobility a priority.
- Only 24% of organisations have structured internal mobility programs.
- Companies that facilitate cross-functional learning, job rotations, and mentorship see higher engagement and retention.
Building skills-based career paths and internal gig opportunities can be game-changers in retaining top talent.
4. Skill Building Must Be Faster and More Agile
With rapid technological shifts, traditional learning models are too slow.
Companies must accelerate skill-building through AI, internal mobility, and cross-functional learning:
- 49% of career development champions use internal data to track skill gaps (vs. 36% of others).
- 91% of L&D pros say human skills (soft skills) are more valuable than ever.
- AI-driven skills-based learning paths help companies bridge skills gaps faster.
Key skills in demand for 2025:
- Critical thinking & problem-solving
- Business strategy & leadership
- Data-driven decision-making
- Mentorship & relationship-building
5. Measuring L&D’s Business Impact is Essential
Gone are the days of vague engagement metrics—L&D teams must prove their impact on revenue, retention, and productivity:
- 72% of career development champions track employee engagement.
- 64% track retention, while 55% track promotions.
- To gain executive buy-in, L&D leaders must demonstrate how learning initiatives drive business results.
What This Means for L&D in 2025
The workplace is evolving at lightning speed, and L&D professionals can’t afford to sit on the sidelines.
The LinkedIn Workplace Learning Report 2025 makes it crystal clear: Skills are the new currency of business success.
Companies that fail to prioritise career development, AI-driven learning, and internal mobility will struggle to keep up in an increasingly competitive talent market.
To stay ahead, L&D teams must ditch passive learning models in favour of dynamic, career-focused programs that leverage AI to personalise content, identify skills gaps, and scale learning like never before.
Internal mobility must move from an afterthought to a strategic priority, with clear career pathways, mentorship programs, and structured learning experiences that keep employees engaged and growing.
But that’s not all—L&D must also prove its business impact by tracking metrics like promotions, retention rates, and internal mobility to demonstrate real ROI. Finally, managers need to step up as career coaches, guiding employees toward the skills and opportunities that will drive long-term success.
The bottom line?
Organisations that invest in agility, career development, and AI-driven learning will be the ones leading the future of work.
Key Actions for L&D Teams:
✅ Use AI to accelerate skill-building and career development.
✅ Create structured internal mobility programs to retain top talent.
✅ Prioritise soft skills and leadership training to future-proof employees.
✅ Leverage data and analytics to track skills gaps and measure learning impact.
✅ Empower managers to support career growth and encourage continuous learning
Interested in reading the full report? ⬇️
Click here to down LinkedIn’s Workplace Learning Report 2025
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For more e-learning insights, resources and information, discover the Thirst blog.
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