95% Of Professionals Are Confident of Pivoting to Better Career Opportunities Post Upskilling

• AI & ML were the most in-demand skills across industries such as Agriculture, BFSI, Energy, Mining & Utilities, and Media & Communications 

• 41% of learners are looking for a career change in 2023 

• In 2023, 51% of professionals prefer to enroll in part-time or online certifications 

Simplilearn, a leading online bootcamp offering digital skills training, has published the findings of their 2023 State of Upskilling survey. The survey included a mix of individuals from various industries, focusing on upskilling and the skills in demand. The report highlights professionals’ expectations for 2023, their outlook on the impact of upskilling in their career growth trajectory, and the type of upskilling courses they are likely to take up this year.

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The 2023 Consumer Survey indicates dynamic shifts in learner sentiments from last year’s. In 2022, 30% of respondents wished to pivot to a new career. This number has gone up to 41% in 2023, with more professionals looking for a career change in 2023. Similar changes are indicated when it comes to the method of upskilling. As per Simplilearn’s State of Upskilling 2022 survey, 59% of professionals took self-study courses, 33% of learners enrolled in part-time courses, and 51% earned skilled certifications. However, in 2023, regarding upskilling preferences, 51% of professionals said they prefer to enroll in part-time or online certifications. Only some opt for self-study (23%), open-source projects (12%), or full-time college enrollment (7%).

Sharing thoughts on the survey, Mr. Kashyap Dalal, Co-founder, and Chief Operating Officerof Simplilearn, said, “Our 2023 Consumer Survey results highlight that professionals continue to actively take up upskilling courses despite shifts in ways of working and as back-to-office norms return, globally. Either through online certifications or self-study, professionals are actively equipping themselves with relevant skills in the best ways possible. They understand the importance of upskilling and its positive impact on career growth. Confident of receiving better salaries and jobs or desired promotions at their existing workplaces, sharpened and new skills remain the strongest ammunition for professionals. Additionally, with the rise of generative AI and new digital economy tech, learners are keen to upskill in the same or allied fields.” 

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• Insights from the Simplilearn 2023 Consumer Survey Report: 

• Gender and Demographics: 49% of the respondents were from Tier 1 Indian cities The survey comprised 71% males, 25% females, and 4% LGBTQA+, with 49% residing in Tier 1 Indian cities and 23% residing outside India.
• Occupation and Designation: 38% included individual contributors Among respondents, 38% were individual contributors, 28% were managers, 17% were students, 9% were freelancers, 4% VPs or department heads, and 4% CXOs. The leading departments the respondents were from include IT – 34%, Marketing – 18%, Engineering – 15%, and Production – 10%.
• Industry and workplace: 32% of the respondents were from Technology and Computers Among respondents, leading industries included Technology and Computers – 32%, BFSI – 11%, Education – 11%, and Consumer Products & Services – 10%. 51% were working from home, hybrid – 27%, and work from office – 22%.
• Upskilling and expectations from 2023: 95% said that upskilling will help in bolstering their career 51% of respondents enrolled in part-time or online certifications, 23% engaged in self-study, 12% participated in open-source projects, and 7% enrolled in college full-time. Data Science and Business Analytics were the most in-demand skills, followed by program and project management at 40%, AI & ML at 35%, and Cloud Computing and DevOps at 31%.
• 30% of the respondents believe that upskilling will help them to get a job with a new employer Respondents feel that irrespective of the choice of upskilling method, 30% will receive jobs in new companies, 25% think that upskilling will give them new opportunities in their current workplace, 22% believe that they would receive a salary hike after upskilling, and 16% think that upskilling will help them get a desired promotion.

1. Top 4 in-demand skills  
   According to the survey, learners are most interested in upskilling in the following skills
   • Program & project management – 40%
   • AI & ML – 35%
   • Cloud computing & DevOps – 31%  

1. Most Desired Skill Areas by Company Size:  

• Small companies (up to 49 employees) listed Digital Marketing as the most desired skill. Those with more than 50 employees, Medium and large firms (up to 4,999 employees) sought Data Science & Business Analytics skills
• Large firms of 5,000-9,999 equally desired Data Science & Business Analytics, Cloud Computing & DevOps, and Business Strategy & Product Management as top skills. 

Those with 10,000+ employees desired skills in Program & Project Management the most.

1. Most Demanded Skills in Each Industry – AI & ML skills are in most demand across sectors such as Agriculture, BFSI, Energy, Mining & Utilities and Media & Communications. Other skills in demand across sectors include: 
   • Agriculture: AI & ML, Software/Full Stack Development
   • BFSI: Data Science & Business Analytics, AI & ML
   • Consumer Products & Services: Data Science & Business Analytics, Business Strategy & Product Management, Digital Marketing
   • Education: Data Science & Business Analytics, Software/Full Stack Development
   • Energy, Mining & Utilities: AI & ML, Program & Project Management
   • Government & Public Sector: Program & Project Management, Cyber Security
   • Healthcare & Life Sciences: Program & Project Management, Business Strategy & Product Management
   • Manufacturing, Automotive & Aerospace: Data Science & Business Analytics, Program & Project Management
   • Media & Communications: AI & ML, Cyber Security, Digital Marketing, Program & Project Management
   • Technology & Computers: Program & Project Management, Cloud Computing & DevOps

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