According to Lepaya’s State of Skills Report 2025 , businesses across Europe are increasing their emphasis on sales and leadership training in order to adapt to AI’s growing influence and changing market conditions.
Based on the input of hundreds of organisations, this report highlights important shifts in priorities for workforce training as companies prepare to face economic and technological challenges.
In Europe, leadership has become the most sought-after skill. Training hours for sales skills increased by 178 per cent. Organisations are shifting their focus from analytical skills to other areas. They have dropped from the third place in terms of training priorities to the fifth.
Instead, human-centric skills such as creativity, collaboration, and relationship-building are emphasised to complement AI-driven processes and ensure long-term adaptability.
Priority is given to skills that are centered on the human being.
Businesses are increasingly recognising that unique human skills cannot be duplicated by machines as AI transforms the workplace.
Rene Janssen said that Lepaya’s CEO, Rene Janssen stated, “Leadership is at the top of business priorities, indicating that leaders are recognizing human-centric skills to be vital to adapting to an ever-changing environment and navigating uncertainty.” AI is redefining workforce priorities. Businesses are moving away from analytical skills that machines can complete, and balancing investments in new technologies with renewed focus on unique human skills.
Data-Driven Training
Businesses will also adopt more data driven strategies to improve their workforce training. AI plays a crucial role in identifying skill gaps, personalising the learning experience, and evaluating the effectiveness of training programs.
Janssen continued, “By 2025, organizations across Europe will integrate the learning as a priority. This will ensure that employees are prepared to innovate and lead during an unprecedented period of change. Businesses that are able to treat learning in a continuous loop and seamlessly connect skill development with strategic goals will succeed.
