Lepaya's Skills in Review 2024: Trends that shaped global talent strategies this year

Businesses are increasingly prioritising training programs which focus on leadership and sales skills, according to Lepaya’s Skills in Review 2024, as HR teams focus on developing personal skills in place of skills that can now be fulfilled by AI. 

Analysis of training programs delivered to over 25,000 employees across Europe by Lepaya, Europe’s leading people development company, shows that Leadership skills were the most popular focus for training in 2024, reflecting its critical role in helping businesses to navigate ongoing economic challenges and technology changes. Sales training also saw a dramatic 178% rise last year, with businesses signaling a need to respond to the economic challenges of the past 12 months and aggressively pursue revenue.

Upskilling of analytical skills and data analysis saw a sharp decline, falling from the 3rd to 5th most popular focus for training programs in 2024. With the rise of AI tools taking over many data analysis roles, businesses are shifting the focus of training programs to prioritise complementary human skills such as creativity, relationship building and collaboration.

This also reflects a move towards what many HR leaders see as more future-proofed skills, with Lepaya’s recent Evolution of Skills report showing that 82 percent of employees feel modern workplace demands are outpacing their current skills as AI and technology continue to develop and change the business landscape at a fast pace. 

Rene Janssen, CEO, Lepaya, comments: “With the rapid pace of AI and technological advancements, workplace skills are becoming outdated faster than ever before, leading to HR teams reprioritising sales and leadership skills above those skills that are under threat from new technologies. Organisations that fail to address this reality risk losing their competitive edge.

The key is not just investing in training but ensuring it is intentional, measurable, and directly aligned with business strategy. Strategic upskilling isn’t just about closing gaps; it’s about future-proofing organisations for disruption and opportunity alike.”

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The report predicts that 2025 will demand continuous learning models that evolve alongside workplace demands. This is driven by the continuation of rapid advances in AI and technology over the next 12 months, which will require organisations to adapt quickly. The ability to identify business needs, such as productivity, talent retention, or growth, and align training strategies with these priorities will be critical for success.

Rene Janssen adds: “In 2025, businesses will need to adopt a data-driven approach to training. This ensures learning programmes not only address immediate challenges but also build capacity for future growth.

Scalable, contextualised solutions tailored to all career levels will be essential for empowering employees to perform and adapt in a rapidly changing environment.”

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‍Explore the full Lepaya’s Skills in Review 2024 here.