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Bridging upskilling gaps: Empowering women and people of color

Upskilling is the only way to remain competitive and move up in life. However, a recent report released by DeVry University and Reputation Leaders on September 18 reveals the numerous obstacles that stand in the way of many U.S. workers, particularly women and people of color, in terms of accessing the necessary tools to upskill efficiently.

The report is very revealing. For example, 73% of men stated that they had access to upskilling opportunities, while only 56% of women said the same. Likewise, only 42% of the surveyed black, Hispanic, and Asian American/Pacific Islander workers reported that they had access to as well as used company-paid upskilling. Unequal access to upskilling has tremendous consequences. Family demands and lack of time are major hindrances towards women from accessing upskilling opportunities.

Up to 97% of employers and 96% of employees consider upskilling important to professional success. Nonetheless, there is a general consensus that there is room for more in promoting and enhancing access and participation. Nevertheless, only one-third of employees perceive that employers are doing their part in training and future-proofing workers.

In the modern age, the job market requires workers to constantly upskill in order to develop and keep up with the market changes. Besides closing the skills gap in new technologies and generative AI, upskilling helps to improve essential soft skills, including problem-solving, communication, and decision-making, which cannot be covered by AI

In summary, the report underscores the urgent need to bridge upskilling gaps, particularly for women and people of color, to ensure that all workers have equal opportunities to thrive in a rapidly changing job market. Upskilling is not just a “nice-to-have” but a necessity for both individuals and organizations looking to adapt and succeed.

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