News Story
Jan 2026 / Blog Professional Development
The professional landscape changed significantly in 2025. Artificial intelligence became one of the fastest-growing industries, alongside the information technology and cyber security sectors. This technological shift has forced businesses across Wales to adapt their ways of working and find innovative responses to industry challenges.听
Here鈥檚听what we can expect to see in the coming 12 months, and how training might help you听plan for the future.听
AI and Automation听will continue to grow听听
Over the past few years,听hybrid听and remote working have become an essential part of most organisations. Throughout听2024-25,听employees and businesses had to adjust听quickly听to the digital landscape, with听many utilising听apprenticeships听such as听Digital Skills for Business听and听听to听equip their staff with the knowledge and tools听needed听to use these platforms confidently.听听
For 2026, we predict advanced digital qualifications, including听Cyber Security Analyst,听Data Analytics,听Software Developer听and听AI,听will see a boost in听popularity听as businesses begin to master digital spaces and become wise to the potential growth opportunities specialist skills can offer.听听
AI,听in particular,听presents听an exciting opportunity for businesses听this year. From AI听personalisation听to automation and efficiency,听organisations听are beginning to invest heavily in AI software and AI focused strategies.听According to听听workers spend an average of 2 hours per day using AI tools, yet only 25% receive formal AI training from their employers.听听
Employee-focused workplace culture听听
This year,听we expect to see a continuation of the shift in workplace culture that we saw throughout 2025. As hybrid working became the norm,听businesses found new ways to engage staff, developing wellbeing strategies and employee retention policies to keep morale,听efficiency,听and engagement听high.听The听听for 2025 outlines听that听job autonomy is strongly connected听to听improved performance and mental health. When staff see clear prospects for development and听progression, they are more engaged and less likely to leave the business.听听听
The index听also听shows that when听employers听consistently听invest in continuous professional development and听additional听workplace听training,听employees听feel听more听valued, work more efficiently and听are more likely to stay within the organisation.听听
Sustainability and the Net Zero agenda听听
The听Carbon Budget for 2026听targets an average 58% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions across Wales by 2030 compared to 1990 levels. This serves as the next听checkpoint for businesses听in line with听Wales鈥櫶齨et zero听agenda.听听听
The green economy听represents听both听a challenge and opportunity for Welsh businesses, as we all look to reduce emissions听across the board.听Training programmes听in听relevant听topics听in听carbon management听or accredited听sustainability听courses equip learners with the knowledge and practical skills needed to support decarbonisation efforts 鈥� cutting through the often-confusing jargon and offering easily-adopted solutions for individual business needs. Our sister company听鲍鱼tv听offer听a variety of听fully funded听green听qualifications for eligible听employees,听including ISEP accredited short courses and the full Energy and Carbon Management apprenticeship qualification.听听
Changes to Procurement and Supply听
On听24th听February 2025, the听听came into effect, transforming听how听public bodies听across England and Wales听purchase听goods and services.听听
This year, UK GOV produced a听听to help听businesses听understand the changes听introduced by the Act听and how听to听navigate the new legislation.听The goal听is greater听transparency,听improved听oversight听and听increased听flexibility for businesses听– creating听a fairer and听more听equitable听system for suppliers of all sizes.听听
While businesses听are expected to听benefit听from听a more streamlined听procurement process, the reforms also introduce听new challenges听for 2026. These听include听new compliance obligations,听increased听competition听and听greater听need for risk management.听Qualifications听like the CIPS-accredited Procurement and Supply听programme听equip staff with听the听skills听needed听to听navigate the changes and听leverage听them to create new growth opportunities.听听
Professional training at all levels听听
Professional qualifications can be highly specialist.听The听听by the Open University听shows听that听AI and or IT-related skills such as听data analysis and software development are highly sought听after by employers who understand that technical听expertise听is听an essential pillar to business success.听听
However,听54% of听UK employers听report current skills shortages within their organisation that they predict will worsen听over the next 5 years. These shortages effect all areas of business听and听increase the workload听for听existing members of staff,听reduce productivity and growth.听听
In 2026,听we听are encouraging more organisations to听shift听their听focus听to听high level,听operational, competency-based qualifications听to combat these challenges and听recognise听training听as听fundamental to听effective business operations.听听听
