Education Among Top Priorities for Indians, Next Only to Essential Items: Emeritus Global Workplace Skills Study 2023
The complexity of the Indian market is reflective of its unique culture. One of the many things that set this geography apart as a market for education is the deep-rooted Indian belief that education, notably higher education, is a life-long investment. Indians invest in learning for themselves and their families/children to achieve economic and social mobility.
Through an extensive study conducted by Emeritus—a survey of 6,600 professionals aged between 21 and 65 across 18 countries—we found an overwhelming 73% of Indians surveyed are showing an increased interest in pursuing further education due to recent global developments. This indicates a stronger interest in upskilling among Indians compared to the global average of 55%. Here’s what else the study revealed:
Emeritus Global Workplace Skill Study 2023: 4 Key Takeaways for India
Upskilling Builds Confidence and a Sense of Job Security in the Workforce
Data from the Emeritus Workplace Skills Study 2023 shows that India is a particularly apprehensive market regarding the automation of work. One out of three professionals approached for this survey indicated a fear of being replaced by technology. Moreover, the recent developments and potential of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) could possibly add to their challenges.
In this environment, Indians look to education for confidence and also as a safety net. As many as 86% of the professionals surveyed agreed that further education is a stepping stone to gaining skills. They also believe that continued education helped them engage better at work. Indians voted for ‘increasing job security’ as one of the key motivations to pursue further education. Promotions and career advancements closely followed this. We can safely conclude that Indians have embraced the concept of lifelong learning and affirm that learning helps them feel confident, creative, and inspired to develop personally and professionally.
Upskilling Gives Professionals a Competitive Edge
The education system in India is still very linear; people usually move from school to college to university and into professional jobs. With rapid technological advancements, the challenge is to upskill at pace. Thus, gaining these skills through online learning is the best way to stay relevant in a fiercely competitive market.
The Emeritus Workplace Skills Study 2023 found that professionals see upskilling as a means to stand out in the job market. As many as 84% of the respondents believe that education can help them stay ahead of the competition. Continuous learning is directly related to achieving career advancements for Indians. These professionals view education as a qualifier to switch jobs, get promotions, or even move laterally to a new role.
Being Affordable and Accessible, Online Learning is the Most Popular Choice for Upskilling
One of the most definitive results of this survey is that online learning is the future. Hence, interest and spending in online learning will only grow in India. As per the Emeritus Workplace Skills Study 2023, 9 in 10 Indians firmly believe that online learning adoption is set to increase shortly, with new technology continuing to emerge.
Respondents express that online learning has brought them many opportunities, such as enrolling at reputed universities far away, finding cheaper options to meet their learning needs, and the convenience of learning from anywhere.
Indians Consider Education to be an Investment, and They Want to in Reputable Providers Indians Want to Invest in Reputable
As a long-term investment, learners who invest in education or upskilling have clear-cut expectations regarding the Return-on-Investment (ROI). While online options are more feasible, professionals want to pursue online learning with reputed providers, including world-class universities, renowned institutes, and reliable edtech platforms.
In fact, 71% of professionals would be willing to spend much more now on a prestigious provider than before. Education is a high-value purchase for most prospective learners, so they look for reliable education brands to invest in.
Key Findings From Around the Globe
The current economic environment in the world results from several macroeconomic factors like the Ukraine crisis, the energy situation in Europe, and the ongoing recession, which may lead to uncertainty for the workforce. In this scenario, global professionals increasingly see upskilling as a way to navigate economic uncertainty.
The Emeritus Global Workplace Skill Study 2023 reveals that online is here to stay. As a medium, online learning went from being a choice to a necessity when the world went into lockdown during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the interest in online learning did not end there.
The acceptance of online learning is fueled by the fact that renowned global institutions have embraced online formats. Further, affordable, relevant, and world-class online programs have steadily grown in presence. Professionals worldwide understand they must remain qualified for evolving professional demands.
Insights From the Hiring Manager’s Desk
- A majority of hiring managers agree that organizations should hire based on skills.
- As per hiring managers, management and digital transformation are the most sought-after skills.
- Organizations are looking for problem-solvers and critical thinkers while hiring.
- The workforce most covets a positive workplace culture.
- Professionals are looking for personalized career planning and networking opportunities.
For more such insights, visit the Emeritus Global Workplace Skill Study 2023
The Future of Learning is Here. And it’s Online.
“The global workforce is currently battling several challenges to stay relevant – from technological disruptions to economic uncertainties. At this juncture, the Emeritus Global Workplace Skills Study 2023 reinforces the importance of education among Indians, who rank it as a top priority. It is heartening to see that even amidst uncertain economic conditions, Indians continue to recognize the value of investing in their education to grow in their careers and stand out,” said Mohan Kannegal, CEO of India and APAC, Emeritus.
“One of the most encouraging findings from the study is the strong belief among Indians that online learning is set to grow. Being at the forefront of making high-quality education accessible and affordable for all, we at Emeritus are very optimistic about the possibilities increased online learning adoption can bring to the country. The study also reaffirms our belief that education plays a crucial role in shaping the future of work,” he concluded.
About the Survey
