Get Skills Ready for 2026
Upskilling in 2026
Upskilling has never been optional, but now more than ever it is the difference between staying ahead and falling behind. Due to AI, technology and business models are evolving faster than ever.
Businesses need to future-proof their teams, and individuals need to stay relevant competitive. In 2026, this will make upskilling a cornerstone of growth.
What is Upskilling?
Upskilling is the process of learning new skills or improving existing ones. This can be to support a career advancement or to meet the needs of evolving job requirements. It’s not the same as starting from scratch and switching careers, but more building on what you already know.
Organisations can often benefit from upskilling to close skills gaps and develop more internal expertise. This can be in the form of adopting new tools, utilising emerging technologies or developing new ways of working.
During times of fast paced change, like we currently see with AI, data and cloud transformations, upskilling is essential part of staying ahead of the competition.
Our expert says: "In 2026, the most valuable tech skills will live where AI, data, and human judgment meet.
Solid foundations in data engineering, analytics, and model evaluation will matter, but so will the ability to design, test, and govern AI systems responsibly. Just as important are human skills — creative thinking to frame the right problems and project management to turn ideas into impact.” - Jo Bishenden, Chief Learning Officer
What is an example of upskilling?
The best example of upskilling is the AI revolution that has changed almost every role in every industry. Skills such as prompt engineering in LLMs, like ChatGPT and Microsoft Copilot, are now fundamental digital capabilities. This requirement has also driven the need for upskilling at scale on how to make the most out of AI.
In the cyber security space, training is now required to bring professionals up to speed with the latest AI threats, as well as the complex and evolving changes to data governance frameworks, such as the EU AI Act.
Businesses worldwide need these essential AI skills in productivity and compliance to stay ahead and avoid the pitfalls of getting AI transformation wrong. And without upskilling at scale, their teams won’t be able to stay competitive.
Our expert says: "AI skills will matter to everyone, certainly, but the type of skills you’ll be putting into action depends on your role
A technician building AI systems needs very different capabilities from a leader shaping strategy or a ‘non-techy’ employee using AI to boost productivity.
Let’s break it down, to show you where you, your teams, and your business need to upskill to get further with AI this year." - Dr Vicky Crockett - Director of Portfolio, AI
Why is Upskilling Important?
Change is constant, with technology always rewriting the rules of work. Roles that existed five years ago may still exist today, but they looked very different. And they will look even more changed five years from now.
Upskilling ensures that both businesses and individuals are not left behind. For businesses, it means teams finding ways to future-proof teams and ensure maximum productivity. Empowering teams to use AI in the roles safely and effectively.
For individuals, it’s about understanding opportunities for personal growth and how to utilise technology like AI to maximise the potential of your role.
Why Businesses Need to Embrace Upskilling in 2026
The next 12 months will bring more disruption than the last five years combined. Artificial intelligence, automation and data-driven decision-making are no longer future trends. They are here. Businesses that fail to invest in upskilling risk falling behind competitors who are better prepared.
And it’s not just about technical skills. Upskilling involves the combination of soft and technical skills needed to succeed. Whether that’s emotional intelligence, problem solving, creativity and leadership, or agentic AI, data engineering and machine learning. It is the combination of these essential skills that will allow teams to thrive in uncertain times.
Our expert says: “Automation and AI are increasingly taking care of routine work, freeing up human headspace to imagine, connect ideas, and reframe problems. That shift unlocks real potential, turning constant change into opportunity, fueling innovation, and helping us approach challenges with fresh perspectives rather than fixed answers." - Megan Sutton, Portfolio Director, Leadership and Business
How to start an upskilling programme
The best place to start is by identifying where your skills gaps are. Look at industry trends and prioritise areas where new capabilities will deliver the most impact. From there, create a structured learning plan that includes formal training, on-the-job learning and continuous development.
Stay up to date with the most in-demand skills in tech and ensure you have the in-house capability to capitalise on opportunities and that you aren’t being left behind by your competitors.
The benefits of upskilling
For businesses, upskilling improves efficiency, innovation and employee retention. It creates a culture of learning that attracts top talent and keeps teams engaged. For individuals, it opens doors to career progression and higher earning potential. It also builds confidence and resilience, enabling professionals to navigate change with ease.
Upskilling is not just an investment in skills. It is an investment in people.
What Are the Most Important Skills to Upskill in 2026?
The skills that matter most in 2026 are those that align with technology and data. These are the areas driving transformation across every industry.
AI skills
Artificial intelligence may have been a niche skill a few years ago, but now it’s a critical digital literacy. Learning how to use AI tools, agentic AI understanding how to be more productive and apply automation in your role will be critical.
Data Skills
As business continue to gather record-breaking amounts of data, having the skills to utilise that data safely and effectively is more important than ever. Learning how to harness AI to power your data processes, and upskilling in data analytics and visualisation ensures you can turn raw information into actionable insights.
Soft Skills
The growing need for technical skills doesn’t the dimmish the need for essential human skills. Qualities like communication, adaptability, emotional intelligence, creativity and leadership allow people to collaborate effectively, manage change and build trust in an increasingly digital world.
What’s the Difference Between Reskilling and Upskilling?
Upskilling builds upon your current skill set to perform better in your existing role, while reskilling prepares you for a career change. Both are vital, but upskilling is often the first step for professionals who want to stay relevant without changing industries.
Whether you're looking to build your team's people skills. or technical skills like data and AI, our experts are here to help.
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