10 Key learning and development statistics in 2025

Workplace learning and development is rising rapidly in value, impact, and perception as it transforms organizations. But have you been keeping up? 

In this article, we’ll explore key learning and development statistics that can help you improve programs and maximize investments. By the end of this discussion, you can make better decisions and strategies for employee growth.

What are learning and development statistics and why are they important?

Learning and development statistics underscore the value of workforce development programs to organizations. Through various trend metrics, success measurements, and data-based conclusions, these figures explain the impact of L&D initiatives on business growth.

Understanding workplace learning data helps you make the best decisions about your own L&D strategies. It highlights proven approaches that use professional training to enhance employee performance, engagement, and retention. As a result, you can maximize the return on investment (ROI), making significant company improvements.

10 Learning and development statistics

Now, let’s explore key L&D numbers that showcase today’s innovation, methods, and insights for transformative workforce training. We’ll also tackle how you can apply these learnings to your programs.

Organizations that deliver comprehensive training earn 218% more income per employee

A recent Forbes article shared that companies with strong and sound employee training earn 218% higher income per employee than those without. Well-developed workers with up-to-date skills naturally perform better. Supporting their professional growth keeps them at tip-top shape to solve complex problems and meet demands.

The effects of proper learning and development go beyond upskilling. Effective L&D programs can engage and motivate your workers. Learning opportunities offer them career advancement, which enhances job satisfaction and keen interest. This lets you cultivate top talent while encouraging them to stay longer.

The best-performing organizations train 84% of their employees

According to IBM’s study, 84% of employees from best-performing companies receive relevant training. This figure sharply contrasts with the worst-performing organizations, which only train 16% of their workers. Simply put, it’s not enough to expect employees to be good. Businesses must commit to their development.

The research also found that the best-performing organizations prioritize human capital development over aspects like product and branding for long-term success. Given these insights, it’s wise to reevaluate your company’s business objectives. Find out how employee learning can achieve targets and let it lead strategies.

Learning organizations are 92% more likely to create innovation

Employee training statistics from Deloitte reveal that businesses with organizational learning cultures are 92% more likely to nurture innovation. Organizational learning is an L&D approach to continuous learning. It emphasizes upskilling, knowledge sharing, and mentoring for a consistent flow of expertise in the company.

From the same review, the professional service company saw that these businesses are 52% more productive. Learning from these professional development trends, training must be front and center, as it empowers creativity and new ideas. Practical methods include on-the-job training, developmental assignments, and ongoing support.

76% of Generation Z value learning for their career

Core members of Generation Z are entering the workforce and building their professional careers. Soon enough, they’ll be the most valuable age group for business productivity, requiring new recruitment and retention strategies.

LinkedIn’s learning and development statistics report that 76% of Gen-Z believe learning is key to a successful career. They seek continuous upskilling opportunities when looking for a company. For them, the quick rate of technological advancements will shift the essential workforce skills.

69% of employees believe faster training delivery is vital

Today’s workforce wants their training to be fast and direct, to keep up with the exponential evolution of competition and technology. According to TalentLMS’s workplace learning report, 69% feel this way, as many skills are becoming automated. They’re eager to find new knowledge to fill new roles while old ones become outdated.

Microlearning is a widely embraced solution for this need. SC Training (formerly EdApp)’s microlearning design, for example, divides intricate professional courses into simple bite-sized pieces that are easy to understand. This allows your team to consume new skills in as little as five minutes, enhancing knowledge retention thanks to a more focused approach.

44% of work skills will be disrupted

Technological innovations have minimized the necessity of once essential roles. To put this into numbers, the World Economic Forum (WEF) has concluded that 44% of today’s work skills will be disrupted.

This emphasizes the importance of growth and reskilling programs for your teams. They’ll need technological literacy, technical expertise, and self-capability to prepare for new opportunities and adapt to further disruptions. The WEF also highlighted the growing value of creativity, agility, and problem-solving for tomorrow’s industries. 

89% of L&D heads find training necessary for adaptability

Future-proofing teams is a critical benefit of top-notch learning and development. With knowledge and skills continuously sharpened, your employees can face evolving challenges. LinkedIn highlights this in a study, stating that 89% of L&D leaders believe training improves change response and agility.

Training to improve employee performance requires a forward-thinking approach that considers potential risks, innovations, and future opportunities. Similarly, organizations must shift their perspective on the purpose of learning. Gone are the days of training for a sole position. You should now focus on developing a diverse set of skills.

60% of companies haven’t aligned their learning and development programs with their goals

McKinsey’s learning and development statistics saw 60% of companies admit that their initiatives have little to no connection to their business strategies. The study revealed that this mix-up is largely thanks to outdated perspectives and resistance to changing trends.

How can you expect the company to grow if you don’t develop your teams properly? It’s best to analyze the business's goals and conduct a needs analysis. Find any skill gaps in your workforce that prevent the organization from achieving its goals. From there, address them using timely, well-thought-out training.

To simplify this approach, consider using SC Training’s training matrix. This dashboard feature allows you to assess each team member’s skill gaps and improvements at a quick glance.

Learning organizations are 13% more confident in retaining talented employees

LinkedIn’s 2025 workplace learning report found that learning organizations feel 13% more confident that they can retain top talent. This belief comes from their ability to offer flexible internal movement and impactful opportunities. As a result, high-performing employees are empowered to stay.

Additionally, these consistent upskilling, reskilling, and new assignment initiatives improve these organizations’ pipeline health and succession planning. They are not only retaining more top performers but also securing a steady flow of business skills, values, and knowledge.

91% of employees prefer personalized training experiences

General, “size-fits-all” courses may not be the best way to go anymore, especially in a business environment that demands highly specialized roles. This is reflected in an HR Dive article citing that 91% of employees want training personalized to their responsibilities.

Tailoring experiences to each team member’s needs is a more engaging and practical method. Workers are more receptive to new abilities when they can easily connect them to their jobs. Granted, this is a lot more challenging to deliver. Fortunately, SC Training’s user management can organize learners to the right training paths in a few clicks.

Transform learning and development programs with SC Training 

We’ve learned from training and onboarding statistics that employee development programs need deep commitment, careful planning, and well-managed delivery. While this sounds like an intimidating task, there’s a platform that makes the leap worth it.

Meet SC Training, the top training solution for comprehensive workplace upskilling, made to be flexible and simple to use. The platform houses the tools you need to keep teams on top of quality and standards, all while minimizing effort from you.

SC Training is made to make learning and development easy. Here are just some of the ways it can help you: 

• Laid-back course creation: The software’s Course Creator features templates and drag-and-drop designers to prepare lessons in minutes, not hours. It also includes a Create with AI tool that generates engaging, well-designed courses from a quick prompt.
• Highly effective gamification: SC Training allows you to implement in-lesson games. This transforms courses into a memorable training where teams can retain more information. And the best part? You don't need extensive experience or a lot of effort to create these powerful games.
• All-in-one customizable data: Using the app’s Reporting and Analytics solution lets you find the training data you need, exactly when you need it. You can select the metric points you want, like completions and assessments, and the dashboard updates you in real-time.
• Total training control: You’ll no longer have to worry whether teams take the right courses, finish them on time, or access the relevant materials. The Course Management suite hands you the power to control access, rules, paths, and more with just a lift of a finger.