IBM global skills and education study

This skills and education study was conducted by Morning Consult on behalf of IBM from November 2 - December 20, 2022. The study was conducted among a sample of 4,926 students, 4,629 job seekers, and 4,628 career changers in 13 countries (Brazil, Canada, Egypt, France, Germany, India, Japan, Mexico, Singapore, Spain, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, and United States). The interviews were conducted online, and the margin of error is +/- 1 percentage points for all audiences at a 95 per cent confidence level. The data was weighted to target population proportions for a representative sample based on age, gender, and educational attainment.

Key findings include: (1) Awareness of STEM jobs is low, and many are concerned these careers won't pay enough to support themselves or their family - many respondents are unsure of which careers are considered to be a STEM job; (2) With misconceptions that STEM training is expensive, many learners say they don't know where to start and that they don't know enough about digital credentials - 61 per cent think they are not qualified to work in a STEM job because they don't have the right academic degrees; (3) Respondents are optimistic that jobs in STEM fields will increase in the future, and that digital credentials are a good way to supplement traditional education and increase career opportunities; and (4) Learners and workers around the world are planning to make a change, with many looking for a new job in the next 12 months - at least 90 per cent are confident they can develop skills or learn something new from an online program.

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