This isn’t another “top 10 skills” list. It centres on one organising principle — flow infrastructure — and what it means for your L&D strategy right now.
Many Learning & Development trend forecasts still read like checklists. They name the skills to focus on, then leave it there. That approach misses the underlying problem shaping L&D in 2026: skill movement is the missing link between learning and business impact.
edX partnered with Dr Anneke Schmidt — researcher and journalist specialising in education, corporate training, and learning technology — to analyse what the data actually shows. We examined edX’s 2024–2025 Enterprise enrolment data alongside three authoritative global workforce reports, cross-referencing behavioural signals with research forecasts to identify where they converge.
Key insights:
- Only 36% of organisations have mature career development in place, but those that do see 3.4x higher leadership promotion rates.
- Companies with strong career development adopt AI 42% faster
- Human skills continue to climb with analytical thinking, creative thinking and leadership skills surging.
Download the report to understand why flow infrastructure matters for L&D leaders right now — and which five skill priorities to act on for strategic movement in 2026.