Less than 1 in 4 employers sponsor upskilling: Report

Economic Times

11-06-2025

Despite increasing demand for skill development, only 23.9% of Indian employers fully sponsor upskilling programmes for their workforce, according to a new report by TeamLease Edtech.In the absence of organisational support, 46% of professionals are now choosing to fund their learning, it said.'For organisations, this is a wake-up call to invest more strategically in structured upskilling paths that align with performance cycles,' said Shantanu Rooj, chief executive of TeamLease Edtech.
According to the report titled 'Impact of Upskilling on Performance Management' – based on responses from more than 14,000 employees across functions such as technology, finance, sales, operations and human resources – 84% of professionals were engaged in some form of upskilling in the past year, primarily driven by long-term career planning and future readiness. Upskilling appears to have tangible short-term benefits. About 64% of respondents said their learning efforts positively influenced appraisal outcomes, with 42% reporting promotions, salary hikes or enhanced roles within 18 months of completing their programmes.
'This study makes one thing very clear. The professionals who take initiative, especially those who invest in their learning, stand to gain not just skills but also recognition, responsibility and real career momentum,' said Rooj.Timing also played a key role, with more than 40% of professionals strategically pursuing upskilling close to performance review periods. Among functions, tech and finance workers were the most inclined towards self-initiated learning (78.3%), while sales and marketing professionals favoured short, low-cost tutorials and certifications for immediate application.The report urged employers to align learning investments with appraisal cycles and recognise self-funded initiatives, particularly in high-impact roles, to unlock better retention and performance outcomes.