As 2025 begins, the professional training sector finds itself at the heart of economic and social transformations more than ever. Between international skill assessments, technological innovations, public policies, and training organizations' initiatives, the landscape is evolving rapidly. Here is an overview of the key trends and action points for trainers and educational managers.
Skills in Transition: Time for Awareness
Recent results from the PIAAC (Programme for the International Assessment of Adult Competencies) highlight crucial challenges for France. With literacy, numeracy, and problem-solving performance below the OECD average, the situation is concerning. The polarization of skills is intensifying, with progress among the lowest-performing individuals and stagnation at intermediate levels. These figures underscore a major challenge: adapting training programs to reduce inequalities and better meet labor market demands.
On an international scale, countries like Finland and Portugal demonstrate that a clear and ambitious strategy can transform an educational and training system. In France, the lack of a "PIAAC shock" illustrates a worrying inertia. However, there are levers to activate, particularly by rethinking the efficiency of public investment in training and integrating clear objectives, as recommended by the performance-driven approach introduced by the LOLF (Organic Law on Finance Laws).
Technology and Transitions: Catalysts for Tomorrow’s Skills
The Future of Jobs 2025 report by the World Economic Forum highlights two major drivers of transformation: technological acceleration—especially with artificial intelligence—and the ecological transition. Nearly 39% of today’s skills are expected to change by 2030, with an increase in technical expertise as well as “stable” competencies like creativity and critical thinking.
Training organizations and businesses must invest in reskilling and upskilling strategies to stay competitive. Initiatives like Renault’s ReKnow program, designed to retrain employees in digital and electric vehicle industries, illustrate the impact of a proactive approach. At the same time, efforts are needed to integrate AI and sustainability training into educational programs.
Apprenticeships as a Response to Recruitment Challenges
Faced with skill shortages across various sectors, apprenticeship programs remain a key solution. In 2023, 135,000 individuals enrolled in apprenticeship training, a 6% increase compared to the previous year. AKTO, through its promotional campaigns and events such as Perspektiv’Alternance, highlights the importance of this model in securing career paths and meeting business needs.
The new apprenticeship hiring incentives planned for 2025—despite some adjustments—confirm the public commitment to apprenticeships. However, greater efforts are needed to support companies that have yet to adopt these programs and to ensure training remains aligned with evolving job roles.
Innovation Serving Training Organizations
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Digital tools are also transforming training organizations’ practices. The OF Connect community, bringing together over 4,000 industry professionals, serves as a central hub for sharing best practices and pedagogical innovation.
With a mix of webinars, collaborative workshops, and experience-sharing sessions, and targeted topics such as marketing and AI integration, OF Connect exemplifies the need to view training as a constantly evolving ecosystem. New initiatives, like the OF Connect’R program for decision-makers, further enhance the sector’s strategic leadership.
Conclusion: Redefining the Sector for a Competitive Future
2025 brings both immense challenges and unprecedented opportunities for professional training stakeholders. To capitalize on this momentum, it is urgent to rethink models, invest in skills adapted to technological and ecological transformations, and leverage innovative mechanisms such as apprenticeships and learning communities.
What’s Next?
Be part of this transformation today! Whether you’re a trainer, manager, or executive, join key sector initiatives, participate in regional events, or explore the latest forward-thinking resources.
Together, let’s make 2025 a decisive year for skills development.
✍ Written by Sébastien GENTY
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