Redesigning Educational Journey
In a world where economic, technological, and social landscapes are constantly evolving, the traditional model of education is no longer deemed sufficient for ongoing professional development. This is according to the key findings of Santander's Tomorrow's Skills report (2025), which explores the shifting dynamics of lifelong learning, education preparation for the job market, and the responsibility for lifelong learning.
The report reveals that eight out of ten people feel the urgent need to keep expanding their knowledge, indicating a strong appetite for continuous learning to adapt to the demands of the evolving job market. This sentiment is echoed by 87% of university graduates, who express a preference for continued learning.
However, a significant disconnect exists between formal education and job market needs. Thirty-eight percent of respondents believe that the training they received before entering the labor market was not useful. The rise of artificial intelligence is identified as the biggest disruptive force in the job market, with AI and data science expected to be among the most in-demand fields over the next five years. More than half of respondents recognize AI's essential role for future employability.
The report calls for a shared responsibility among individuals, educational institutions, and employers to foster an environment where continuous learning is accessible and encouraged. It suggests that current primary and secondary education systems are outdated and need to be rethought. The focus should be on fostering students' ability to act, their awareness, connection to people and the planet, problem-solving, and critical thinking.
Santander, for example, is investing €400 million between 2023 and 2026 in education, employability, and entrepreneurship initiatives such as the Santander Open Academy, aimed at helping people upskill and reskill to unlock new opportunities.
Interestingly, 45% of participants believe practical experience and informal education are more important than formal education. Meanwhile, 18% of participants would prefer to learn a trade or self-teach. One in every four participants considers the public sector responsible for lifelong learning, while 44% of participants cite cost as a major barrier to further training.
Wendy Kopp, Co-founder and CEO of Teach For All, emphasizes the need to prepare students for complex societal challenges. The report underscores the growing expectation that future generations will hold jobs that have not yet been invented, further underscoring the need for adaptive and continuously updated skills.
Communities worldwide need to redesign their systems to help students carve out a better future in this rapidly changing job market. The report serves as a call to action for all stakeholders to embrace lifelong learning as the cornerstone of personal and professional growth, ensuring no one is left behind in the evolving workforce landscape.
Education and self-development play a crucial role in personal growth, as indicated by the findings that eight out of ten people feel the urgent need to keep expanding their knowledge. This sentiment is echoed by 87% of university graduates who express a preference for continued learning to adapt to the demands of the evolving job market. However, a significant disconnect exists between formal education and the job market needs, making learning outside of traditional institutions, such as practical experience and informal education, increasingly important.
