3 priorities for your business for 2026 and beyond

1. AI Implementation  

A core focus for businesses over the last 2 years or so has been effectively implementing AI tools and strategies, showcasing its value, and not only that, but protecting assets from the risks external AI can create.  

This will continue to be the case into 2026 and beyond as AI tools and programmes continue to be developed. Even basic AI literacy training along with creating clear policies and guidelines within organisations to avoid exposing vulnerabilities by sharing sensitive documents within basic LLMs.  

As it stands, according to D2L’s Upskill with Purpose report, employees are already feeling optimistic with 64% saying their company already provides tools and encourages AI innovation. Although there is confidence, 75% acknowledge they will need to supplement those skills to be able to advance professionally in the next three years.  

Around 65% of the skills needed for existing jobs will have changed by 2030, with AI being the main driver, putting jobs at risk, not from workers being replaced by AI, but if employees do not gain some AI skills.  

2. Cyber security  

2025 saw a jump in cybercrime, in fact, Nash Squared reported that 29% of digital leaders were subjected to a major attack in the last 2 years. Fortinet similarly reported that 86% of businesses reported having had one or more breaches in 2024, with 28% reporting five or more, making this a business-critical focus globally. 

Cyber-attacks can be catastrophic for businesses, with the recent Jaguar Land Rover being named the most economically damaging cyber event in UK history, costing the company £1.9bn.  

The top three causes of breaches according to the Fortinet research are lack of security awareness (56%), lack of IT security skills and training (54%), and a lack of cyber security products (50%).  

A big movement in cyber security, both to defend and attack, is the implementation of AI, but the report stated that 48% of IT leaders’ lack of staff with AI expertise is the biggest challenge they face. A report by Pluralsight echoed that tech practitioners ranked cyber security as the most important skill for them to learn in 2026. 

Despite the need for trained cyber security professionals, only 73% of businesses would pay for an employee to obtain a cyber security certification.  

Cyber professionals are necessary for protection

"Skilled and aware employees and cyber security professionals are crucial to overall cyber risk management in a world that is moved beyond the attack-and-defend cycle. Today, to protect themselves, organizations need to maintain a posture of perpetual vigilance and continuous risk awareness."

3. Data and Analytics  

Data has and always should be a priority for businesses to help enable better decision making, increase efficiency and improve understanding of your customers and clients. Data is the key way to identify new opportunities and growth areas and even anticipate trends.   

With the rise of sophisticated cybercrimes is a better time than ever to not only protect your data, but to truly understand it and use it to your advantage.  

The World Economic Forum reported that ‘Big Data Specialists’ will be the top fastest growing job from 2025-2030. Further developments in AI will require a better understanding and handling of data with Pluralsight predicting we will move away from static data toward temporal data to help build resilient AI systems. 

Data to become fundamental to business success

“The next breakthroughs will emerge from understanding how data changes—particularly, its rhythms, signatures, and trajectories over time. By 2026, analytics of temporal data will no longer be a specialized skill but a fundamental competency for leaders building resilient AI systems.” 

Saving time and money – utilise the skilled workers you already have 

The continuing message in these areas is a need for skilled professionals, but building a new team can be time consuming and costly, so how can this be mitigated?  

Pluralsight cited that 89% of organisations say hiring is more expensive than upskilling for IT roles, with 89% of companies saying it took longer to hire and train a new employee rather than upskill an existing one.  

Investing in your staff is the answer

“The threat is that if no company gives juniors a chance, then they won’t become intermediate or senior developers, and there will eventually be a large gap that will be difficult for leaders to fill. Simply put, you need to invest in people so they can grow, and if AI doesn't evolve to replace all developers, then there’s probably going to be a big knowledge gap.” 

The clear best solution? Upskill and invest in your current staff.  

Not only is investing in your current talent pool beneficial for the business by saving time and money, but it also shows you value your employees and offers them a solution to challenges they are facing.  

The D2L report noted that offering tangible incentives, such as financial rewards, dedicated training time during work hours and flexible learning formats can further increase participation and engagement from workers. 

Business Learning & Development with Learning People 

We support organisations with bespoke, benchmarked workforce upskilling across a range of other areas, including:

• AI and data readiness
• cyber awareness and resilience
• compliance and audit readiness
• leadership and management 
• and much more

Our fully managed and structured learning and development programs empower your workforce to perform with high levels of confidence, judgement, and accountability.

Contact us today for a free consultation and team skills gap analysis.