Summer 2021
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CTDO Magazine

The Skills Gap Has Expanded

Thursday, July 15, 2021

As more employees head back to the office or worksite, many talent development professionals are wondering whether employees are lacking even more necessary skills. Many are finding that global digital transformation efforts, high unemployment rates, and delayed or suspended education and training opportunities have only widened skills gaps that existed before the pandemic or highlighted new ones.

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87%
of companies say they have skills gaps and as a result struggle to fill positions. 
Half
53 percent are reskilling existing employees to address skills gaps.
1/5
are hiring talent from other firms or redeploying workers to new roles to address skills gaps.
2/3
say upskilling employees to address skills gaps is employers’ responsibility.
#1
Critical thinking and dependability tied as the top skills gaps plaguing organizations. Dependability ranked as the number 1 in-demand skill, with critical thinking ranking number 3.
Sources: “Five Fifty: The Skillful Corporation,” McKinsey, 2021; The Future of Work: 2021 Global Outlook, Monster, 2021
Sources: “Five Fifty: The Skillful Corporation,” McKinsey, 2021; The Future of Work: 2021 Global Outlook, Monster, 2021

Read more from CTDO magazine: Essential talent development content for C-suite leaders.

About the Author

The Association for Talent Development (ATD) is a professional membership organization supporting those who develop the knowledge and skills of employees in organizations around the world. The ATD Staff, along with a worldwide network of volunteers work to empower professionals to develop talent in the workplace.