The 2025 Workplace Learning Report from LinkedIn is rich with insight, but one theme stands out: career development has moved from a perk to a strategic imperative.

That shift has major implications for learning leaders. Here are five signals we think deserve your attention:

1. Career development drives business performance

Only 36% of organizations are “career development champions,” meaning they use multiple tactics to support employee growth. But those that do see stronger results across the board: they’re more profitable, better at retaining talent, and more likely to be AI frontrunners. Career development isn’t just good for learners. It’s good for business.

2. The skills crisis is hitting strategic roles hardest

The report highlights a widening gap in critical capabilities like strategic planning, project management, and sales leadership. These are skills lost when experienced employees leave and are hard to replace through hiring alone. That makes internal mobility and upskilling essential tools for continuity and resilience.

3. AI learning and career growth are converging

Career development champions are 32% more likely to offer AI training and 88% more likely to use project-based learning (“gigs”) to develop new skills. They’re not treating AI as a siloed tech topic, but as a learning and growth opportunity across functions.

4. Business impact needs to be the new L&D metric

Engagement and satisfaction still dominate L&D dashboards. But leaders are calling for a shift: less focus on activity, more focus on outcomes. Can you prove your learning programs help the business make money, save money, or reduce risk?

5. Managers are underperforming as career supporters

Only 15% of employees say their manager helped them build a career plan in the past six months – a 5-point drop from last year. The intent may be there, but the structure is missing. If managers are meant to be growth partners, L&D needs to equip them accordingly.

Bottom line

Career development is becoming the front line of workforce strategy. Organizations that take it seriously – and connect it to learning, mobility, and AI readiness – will be better positioned to attract talent and adapt to change.

Read the full report: LinkedIn Workplace Learning Report 2025