Report: Workers ready to grow but gap exists between college, career readiness

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(The Center Square) – A new “State of Learning and Readiness” report from open edtech leader Instructure shows that new workers are eager to grow, but there exists a gap between college and career readiness because of the ever-changing work landscape.

Instructure’s Chief Academic Officer Melissa Loble told The Center Square that the report’s data “shows 70% of people feel unprepared for today’s workforce, and 73% worry they won’t be able to adapt over the next five years.”

“That’s not a failure of education; it’s a reflection of how quickly the world of work is changing,” Loble said.

Interestingly, Gen Z is the “most eager to grow,” but at 87% has the highest levels of feeling unprepared for the workforce, according to the report.

Gen Z is also the most likely to be overwhelmed by new technology, the report said, opening up a need for “steady digital literacy training, from everyday tech skills to knowing when and how to use AI responsibly.”

In a similar vein, Loble told The Center Square that the report shows “readiness for the next step can’t end at graduation.” 

“Learners need ongoing opportunities to build and apply skills in practical ways,” Loble said. “Higher education institutions and employers have the ability to create a continuum that connects learning and work, rather than treating them as sequential.” 

“When that alignment happens, people don’t just feel more prepared; they feel more empowered to grow and contribute over time,” Loble said.

Loble told The Center Square that the report’s data shows not only Gen Z but workers in general want to grow, a fact she finds “encouraging.”  

“They’re motivated, but many don’t know where to start or which skills will have the greatest impact,” Loble said. “That uncertainty can chip away at confidence.” 

“What helps most is when people have clear, supported ways to keep learning and apply new skills on the job,” Loble said.

Loble expressed how important employers are to workers and their growth. 

“Employers can play a big role by creating cultures that encourage curiosity and make continuous learning part of everyday work, not an extra task,” Loble told The Center Square.

“Things like mentorship, microlearning opportunities and dedicated time for upskilling send a powerful message that growth is valued, not optional,” Loble said. 

“And as new digital tools, including AI, become more common across the workforce, digital confidence is becoming just as important as technical skill,” Loble said. “Giving people space to explore these tools in a safe environment, to experiment and learn without pressure, builds both competence and trust.” 

“That’s how readiness grows in real, lasting ways,” Loble said.

Loble told The Center Square that “if there’s one takeaway from this research, it’s that readiness and learning aren’t a single moment or timeframe; they’re a mindset.”

“The most prepared are the ones who’ve learned how to keep learning,” Loble said. 

“For organizations and educators alike, this means creating opportunities for growth at every stage, from earning digital credentials to stepping into a new role for the first time,” Loble said.  

“When we make learning part of how we live and work, not something we pause to do, and meet that willingness with access and support, we’re not only preparing individuals for what’s next, we’re helping shape a workforce and a culture that’s ready for anything,” Loble said. 

Instructure’s report was based on a survey conducted in April 2025 that polled 1,210 employed U.S. adults.