The Rise of Upskilling Among Mid-Career Professionals
In today’s rapidly evolving job market, the concept of future-proofing has moved beyond being a mere buzzword. It has become a necessity for mid-career professionals who are increasingly turning to online learning platforms to acquire new skills and refine existing ones. This shift is driven by the disruptive impact of emerging technologies, particularly artificial intelligence (AI), which is reshaping industries and redefining job roles.
Ashish Thomas, a 31-year-old resident of Gurgaon, is one such professional. After nearly a decade as a customer service executive, he recently enrolled in a data science and AI course. “A few years ago, the idea of switching careers after 10-12 years in one field would have sounded crazy. But now, everyone’s upskilling—it’s never too late,” he shared. His story reflects a growing trend among professionals who are no longer hesitant to pivot their careers in response to technological changes.
This movement is not just about enhancing current roles but often involves a complete industry switch. Many professionals are motivated by fears of redundancy as technology continues to evolve at an unprecedented pace. According to Shantanu Rooj, founder and CEO of TeamLease Edtech, about one in three learners on their platform are actively transitioning into fields like AI, cybersecurity, and digital technologies. “There’s a growing concern about certain roles becoming obsolete,” he said.
Coursera, another major player in the online education space, reported that 39% of its learners are career switchers. These individuals are drawn by the promise of better growth, higher pay, and improved job security. Prashasti Rastogi, senior director of education and government at Coursera, emphasized that AI is reshaping job responsibilities, making adaptation essential even for those who wish to stay in their current roles.
A Surge in Learning Platform Enrollments
The demand for upskilling has led to a significant increase in enrollments across multiple platforms. Upgrad, Simplilearn, Coursera, TeamLease Edtech, and NextLeap are all witnessing a surge in interest from mid-career professionals. For instance, Simplilearn reports that mid-career professionals now make up 50-55% of their total learners. Krishna Kumar, founder and CEO of Simplilearn, highlighted that these programs are preparing professionals for next-level roles, especially as generative AI becomes a cross-sector imperative.
Sectors such as IT, BFSI (banking, financial services, and insurance), and healthcare are leading this trend. This year, Upgrad, led by Ronnie Screwvala, has seen a 40% year-on-year jump in enrollments from mid-career professionals for its university-led programs, according to Anuj Vishwakarma, COO of certifications and institutional business. Over 1.6 lakh professionals signed up for Upgrad’s certification courses in the last fiscal year.
Emerging Job Trends and Skill Shifts
Job trends further support the notion that mid-career professionals are shifting towards more tech-focused roles. According to Naukri, roles in AI and machine learning have grown by 38% recently, while traditional IT jobs like system administration and front-end development have seen a decline. This shift is also evident in the increased sign-ups for bootcamps in product management, data analytics, and UX design at Bengaluru-based NextLeap.
Arindam Mukherjee, cofounder and CEO of NextLeap, noted that many of their learners come from non-tech functions like sales and operations or tech-adjacent roles like QA (quality assurance) and design. This indicates a broader movement towards acquiring technical skills across various domains.
The Popularity of Micro-Credentials
Micro-credentials, which are short-term, skill-specific courses, are gaining popularity among time-strapped professionals seeking quick, targeted learning. These credentials are also becoming attractive to employers due to their efficiency in reducing hiring costs and onboarding time. Rooj of TeamLease explained that micro-credentials help speed up job transitions and often lead to salary increases.
TeamLease reported over 60% growth in enrollments for micro-credential courses this year, while Simplilearn noted a growing demand from professionals in their 30s and 40s looking to pivot or specialize in new domains. Kumar of Simplilearn added that 97% of employers are willing to pay a premium for candidates with certified skills in emerging areas like generative AI.
As industry disruption accelerates, India’s mid-career workforce is responding with urgency—investing in continuous learning to remain competitive in a rapidly evolving job market.
