The Association for Talent Development's new research found that organizations have a positive outlook on the ability to meet organizational needs, the impact on corporate performance, and the perception of the TD function's value.
ALEXANDRIA, Va., May 15, 2025 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- A new Association for Talent Development (ATD) TD Executive Confidence Index revealed that TD professionals have a positive feeling about the health of the TD function and expect an increase in organizational support for a strong learning culture. Data from the 2025 State of the Industry report backs up this outlook.
"The future of the TD function looks bright," according to ATD's 2025 State of the Industry: Talent Development Benchmarks and Trends research report, sponsored by Absorb.
In 2024, the average number of formal learning hours used per employee was 13.7, down from 17.4 in 2023. This number has steadily declined since 2020. While average direct expenditure of $1,054 was down slightly in 2024, it has remained consistent over the past five years and organizations are investing the highest ratio of their revenue (2.9 percent) that we have seen in the last five years.
Key findings from the report include:
- The average cost per learning hour used in 2024 across organizations was $165, a 34 percent increase from 2023's average of $123 per learning hour used.
- More than a third of organizations saw an increase in their TD headcount.
- Three quarters of respondents said the TD function had representation in their organization's senior leadership team. This is a 10 percent increase from 2023.
- The three most common content areas for training were new-employee orientation, mandatory and compliance training, and managerial and supervisory training.
Training for AI technical skills and AI practical skills grew in 2024. Fifty-five percent of survey respondents said their organization provided AI technical skills training and 64 percent expect their organization to increase the amount of training in the future. For AI practical skills, 55 percent said their organizations offered training in 2024 and 62 percent expect training in this area to increase.
"With 75 percent of organizations expecting to increase the AI spending in the next fiscal year, AI skills training should continue to grow," the report said.
ATD surveyed 539 talent development professionals from a wide range of company sizes and industries about their learning programs.
ATD is hosting a free webinar about the report on June 5 at 2 p.m. ET.
About ATD
The Association for Talent Development (ATD) is the world's largest professional membership organization supporting those who develop the knowledge and skills of employees, improve performance, and help to achieve results for the organizations they serve. Established in 1943, the association was previously known as the American Society for Training & Development (ASTD).
ATD's members come from more than 100 countries and work in public and private organizations in every industry sector. ATD supports TD professionals who gather locally in volunteer-led US chapters and international member networks and with international strategic partners.
For more information, visit td.org.
Media Contact
Paula Ketter, Association for Talent Development, 703.683.8100, [email protected], td.org
SOURCE Association for Talent Development
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