Upskilling Revolution: Embracing Lifelong Learning to Close the Skills Gap in Today’s Workforce

 

As companies face a rapidly evolving workforce, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic and the growing presence of AI and automation, the traditional approach to employee education is no longer sufficient. A report by Springboard highlights that upskilling is now crucial, with 70% of corporate leaders recognizing a significant skills gap that is negatively affecting business performance. Sectors like financial services (75%) and tech (73%) are among the most affected. Corporations such as Walmart, Amazon, and Starbucks have introduced comprehensive training programs to address these gaps.

So, how are organizations navigating the disrupted learning environment? What strategies are they adopting to ensure their workforce is prepared for the future?

On this episode of DisruptED hosted by Ron Stefanski, we’re joined by Steve Nolan, former Chief Revenue Officer at Myers-Briggs and Penn Foster. Together, they explore the shifting landscape of corporate learning and the need for organizations to embrace lifelong learning to thrive.

Key Discussion Points:

  • The shift from selective corporate training to widespread employee education programs, including McDonald’s, Starbucks, and other large enterprises.
  • The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on corporate learning strategies, pushing companies to “disaster-proof” their upskilling initiatives.
  • How “living organization” principles and “selling with heart” are reshaping the way companies approach employee development and sales.

Steve Nolan is a seasoned leader in corporate education and upskilling strategies. A mentor and thought leader, Steve has a reputation for driving change in workforce development, focusing on personalized employee training and innovative organizational strategies. He is passionate about embracing lifelong learning and fostering human-centric approaches to business growth.

Recent Episodes

Small private colleges are facing unprecedented pressures: rising instructional costs, shrinking budgets, and mounting skepticism about the return on investment of a four-year degree. At the same time, employer demand for job-ready talent is accelerating, creating urgency for institutions to modernize curriculum and increase access to experiential learning. According to Rize Education CEO Kevin…

Personal branding has rapidly shifted from a “nice-to-have” to a strategic imperative in B2B marketing, reshaping how companies communicate, differentiate, and build trust. As industries evolve and professionals take on more dynamic, multi-stream careers, visibility and authenticity have become critical assets. Key findings from the Edelman + LinkedIn Thought Leadership Impact Report show that…

Leadership today is being reshaped by a simple lesson many leaders learn the hard way: a team full of people who think the same way won’t get you very far. Research shows that teams with deeper diversity—meaning differences in perspectives, values, and cognitive frameworks—consistently outperform more uniform teams in creativity, innovation, and complex decision-making. Today,…