InStride’s 2025 Talent Priorities Report Highlights Employee Demand for Leadership Development

InStride has released its 2025 Talent Priorities Report, revealing that while employees are eager to grow into leadership roles, many employers are not yet providing the support needed to make that growth possible. According to the national survey, 90% of employees expressed interest in leadership development, with mid-career professionals (ages 29–44) making up the largest group of those seeking advancement.

Two-thirds of HR leaders surveyed also indicated leadership development as a top focus, highlighting alignment in principle but revealing a gap in execution.

A Disconnect Between Talent Gaps and Access Gaps

The report shows that while HR leaders are prioritizing retention, attraction, and upskilling to solve talent shortages, employees are pointing to access—particularly access to education—as the missing piece. Notably, 78% of employees said they would be more likely to pursue education if tuition were paid upfront, rather than reimbursed.

Lauren King, Vice President of Talent Strategy and Workforce Development at Novant Health, reflected on the findings: “You can’t use the word gap unless you’re willing to build a bridge.”

Key Findings from the Report

  • Education drives loyalty: 61% of employees said education benefits increase retention, while 65% said these benefits influence where they apply. HR leaders continue to rank retention, attraction, and upskilling as their biggest challenges.
  • AI skills in demand: 71% of employees want to grow AI skills through education, and 54% of HR leaders are exploring AI-powered education solutions.
  • Skills-first approaches matter: Both employees and HR leaders value job-aligned skills. Certification interest rose from 28% to 34% year-over-year.

Insights Spark Next Steps for Employers

The 2025 Talent Priorities Report is based on two national surveys conducted in early 2025—one of over 1,000 employees and another of more than 100 HR and L&D leaders across industries. Findings were previewed at InStride’s annual IMPACT summit, with speakers from Novant Health and the Aspen Institute’s UpSkill America initiative.

“Talent gaps and access gaps are often two sides of the same coin,” said Nick Greif, Vice President of Corporate Partnerships and External Affairs at InStride. “When 78% of employees say they’d be more likely to pursue education if tuition were paid upfront, that’s both a signal of interest and a call to action. Employers who remove barriers like reimbursement schemes and grade requirements will see stronger outcomes.”

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