Graduates Feel Unprepared, Want More Learning Opportunities At Work

A recent study found that almost half of the workforce across the U.S., U.K., and Australia believe that their university experience did not properly prepare them for the workforce.

A recent study conducted by Go1 reveals that nearly half, or 46%, of those participating in the workforce feel that their university education did not adequately prepare them for their professional roles. This feeling spans across multiple generations in the workforce, from Baby Boomers to Gen Z, suggesting a critical view of higher education’s role in career readiness.

The study, which surveyed over 3,000 employees in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia, points to a growing emphasis on work experience and on-the-job training over formal degrees. 61% of employees cite work experience as the most beneficial for preparing them for their current roles, and a notable 37% cited life experience.

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When deciding on where to work or whether to stay at a job, 66% of employees in the survey believe learning and development (L&D) opportunities are “absolutely essential and valuable,” revealing that upskilling is a very important element to attraction and retention efforts in the workforce. The study also highlights the role of artificial intelligence in shaping learning methods, with nearly half, or 48%, of the workforce open to AI-generated materials and tools.

The data suggests that the workforce could be moving towards experiential and personalized learning as a way to upskill and improve with technological advancements. Personalized training experiences for employees could help the workforce to diversify its skillset in the coming years as AI becomes more widely integrated into the workforce.