Dive Brief:

• Nearly two-thirds of employees will find training opportunities independently to advance or maintain their skills this year, according to "Get Ahead of the Rising Expectations of Talent," a report by Randstad. 
• Forty-three percent of respondents to the group's survey said they will look for ways to further their technical skills, such as data analysis, coding, writing and computer programming, the report said. Fewer, 41%, want to better their soft skills like communication, presentation, problem-solving, conflict resolution, leadership and time management. Of the respondents who do not intend to search out training opportunities for themselves, 22% cited lack of money and 36% cited lack of time as explanations. 
• While a quarter of respondents said they want their organizations to spend more on a total talent management model and 19% said they want to see a more significant investment in recruitment-oriented technology, 18% said businesses should put more money toward training. 

Dive Insight:

It appears employers and employees are in agreement about both the importance of upskilling and the areas that most demand it.

As employers combat a tight labor market, they have prioritized training workers already on their payrolls to fill open positions. Meanwhile, workers have expressed a thirst for learning; among those who receive training monthly, 80% report wanting more, according to a Cerego study. Employers — in desperate need of workers equipped with soft skills — listed listening skills, attention to detail, communication and critical thinking as most needed soft skills in a Cengage report. And it seems employees and job seekers are working to gain technological skills, which most professionals lacked in mid-2018, one report indicated.

Some companies are funneling resources toward training opportunities for workers. Walmart, for example, prioritized L&D after Ellie Bertani, director of HR strategy and innovation there, suggested rethinking the ROI of training. For employers that continue to hesitate when budgeting for L&D, it may be worth noting that workers are so keen on upskilling, they're willing to pursue it in their own time and on their own dime. This may be why L&D has become a powerful recruiting tool; employees want to work for organizations that support their desire to grow.