UK workers turn to online platforms for upskilling – KPMG survey
LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM — UK workers are increasingly turning to social media and online platforms to sharpen their skills, according to new research by KPMG UK.
The study reveals that 62% of employees have used these channels to learn new workplace skills, with 20% doing so regularly.
The survey, conducted by OnePoll on behalf of KPMG UK between April 26 and May 2, 2024, surveyed 2,000 UK desk-based working adults from various sectors. It highlighted a shift towards self-directed learning due to often inadequate workplace training options.
“Outdated learning technology means when they [workers] get stuck, they struggle to find the learning they need,” said Alex Ball, Director of Learning Services at KPMG UK.
“There is a growing need for organisations to modernise their learning delivery tools to meet the expectation of modern workers, take control of the learning content and ensure that the learning consumed by their employees is aligned to their ambitions as an organisation.”
Generative AI as a key focus
One area of particular interest is generative AI, with 61% of workers expressing a desire for specific training on how to use the technology. Over half (56%) of 18-24 year-olds and a third of 25-34 year-olds have already used generative AI to learn new workplace skills, compared to only 15% of those aged 55-64.
“At home when we need to know something we can access the answer immediately by reaching for our smartphones. Today’s workers take this expectation of immediate answers with them to work,” Ball explained.
“Our research found that UK workers spend an average of 12 minutes searching for online resources, with only 22% able to locate resources in less than five minutes. This is why we are increasingly seeing workers turn to social learning platforms and AI to access learning in the workplace.”
Soft skills in high demand
There is a notable demand for soft skills training, especially among the 18-34 age group, where 66% wish to improve skills such as communication and leadership. This demand is part of a broader trend of employees seeking to enhance their performance in current roles and prepare for future career progression.
Interestingly, motivations for learning vary significantly across different sectors. For example, 70% of those in business and consulting, and 79% in the legal sector are focused on improving their current job performance, considerably higher than in other sectors such as energy (40%) and engineering (44%).
Generational learning preferences
Older workers aged 65 and above prefer traditional face-to-face learning, while younger groups favor online and AI-driven learning methods.
A third of 18-24 year-olds prefer to learn by doing their own research online, while a quarter of this group also prefer using social media as their primary source to learn new workplace skills.
“This may suggest that younger workers who have grown up in an age of mass information exposure have developed strong critical thinking and decision-making skills,” the report said.
“Face to face training will always be the cornerstone of learning for modern workers but when delivered in a traditional way, it is losing relevance,” Ball added.
He emphasizes the importance of integrating digital interactions into workplace learning to keep pace with technological advancements and the changing expectations of a younger workforce.
