Seven in 10 startups want to upskill employees in AI, Blockchain, Product Management: Imarticus Learning report

New Delhi: More than 70% of startups are looking to upskill their employees in AI-based applications in their domain, Blockchain, and product management through short-term, skill-based programmes, according to a report by Imarticus Learning, a professional education and corporate training solutions provider.

Also, the ‘hire-train-deploy’ model is gaining popularity, growing by 15% in FY25, enabling startups to maintain agility in hiring and workforce development, said the report which evaluated data from more than 300 Indian and global companies.

It noted a 35% rise in CXO-level and senior executive training, especially in Banking, Financial Services and Insurance (BFSI) and consulting, with companies focusing on leadership transformation and financial strategy in volatile market conditions.


“At a time when AI and automation are changing job roles faster than ever, the surge in demand for domain and skill-specific training programmes is a positive sign," said Nikhil Barshikar, founder and CEO, Imarticus Learning. "We have seen a clear shift towards personalisation in learning journeys, and this is especially prominent in sectors undergoing rapid tech disruption or regulatory evolution, including BFSI, financial services, IT, healthcare, retail, and manufacturing,” he said.

The e-commerce and retail segment saw 18% growth in FY25 in learning and development initiatives. Also, 60% of retail firms are currently focusing on training frontline staff in digital tools, signalling a shift towards tech-enabled customer experience strategies, the report said.

The manufacturing sector reported a 30% increase in demand for Industry 4.0 and automation-focused training during the period under review. Data science and AI-driven learning in R&D and operations are in high demand in the healthcare and pharmaceutical industries, with a 22% rise in demand for such programmes in FY25, per the report.