On November 4, 2025, ManpowerGroup Inc. (NYSE: MAN) made a significant announcement through its subsidiary Right Management, releasing a pivotal report titled "The Career Imperative: Why Employee Growth Is the Smart Bet for Business Resilience." This report, part of the 2025 *State of Careers* series, sheds light on the urgent need for organizations to rethink career development in the face of rapid workforce transformation and the rise of artificial intelligence (AI).

In an era where 40% of existing skills are predicted to become obsolete within five years, the report emphasizes that career development is increasingly becoming a business-critical strategy rather than an optional endeavor.

2. The Glaring Disconnect

The research highlights a concerning trend: a widening gap between employee aspirations and organizational support. According to the report, many organizations are falling short in guiding their employees through the complexities of career navigation, a gap that, if addressed, could enhance employee engagement, retention, and overall business resilience.

Caroline Pfeiffer Marinho, SVP and Global Business Leader for Talent Solutions at Right Management, remarked, "Career support is too often treated as an event, not a journey." She underscores the necessity for organizations to cultivate a culture where career development is integrated into the business framework.

3. Key Findings: A Call for Action

The report outlines several critical findings that highlight the current state of career planning within organizations:

Career Planning is Broken: An alarming 40% of employees lack a career plan, with only 4% having a clearly documented career path.

Managerial Guidance is Lacking: Only 20% of employees report receiving career path support from their managers, and a mere 15% feel they have clear guidance from their organizations.

Evolving Learning Preferences: Employees are increasingly favoring mentoring, internal mobility, and sponsored external courses over traditional training programs.

Low Awareness of Development Opportunities: Approximately 35% of employees globally are unaware of the development opportunities available to them within their organizations.

AI's Role in Skills Obsolescence: The report emphasizes that nearly 39% of today's skills will be outdated within five years, underscoring the necessity for effective career navigation.

Emerging Models: Leading companies are already implementing skill-based structures and career navigation platforms to enhance employee development.

4. Embracing Continuous Learning

The report's findings call for a paradigm shift in how organizations approach career development. Barbera de Graaf, SVP for Right Management Europe, stated, "To stay competitive, organizations must move beyond traditional career planning and embrace on-the-job learning and coaching as strategic tools." She emphasizes the need for organizations to foster a culture of continuous learning and growth.

5. A Roadmap for Future-Ready Organizations

In response to the insights presented in the report, "The Career Imperative" outlines a forward-looking framework for organizations to adopt in order to prepare for the changing landscape of work. Key recommendations include:

Flexible Career Pathways: Organizations should replace rigid career ladders with more adaptable career pathways.

Skills as the Foundation of Mobility: Companies are encouraged to make skills the cornerstone of internal mobility strategies.

Utilizing AI as a Strategic Asset: Embracing AI as a partner rather than a threat is vital for future workforce strategies.

Empowering Managers: Training managers to act as career navigators will facilitate employee growth.

Encouraging Career Experiments: Organizations should promote an environment where employees can explore various roles and skills.

Integrating Learning: Learning opportunities should be seamlessly embedded in the daily workflows of employees.

6. Conclusion

The insights from ManpowerGroup's latest report serve as a clarion call for organizations to prioritize employee growth as a strategic imperative in the age of AI and workforce transformation. As companies navigate this evolving landscape, embracing flexible career development strategies will not only enhance employee engagement but also bolster overall business resilience. For further details and actionable strategies, the full report can be accessed at Right Management's dedicated page.

By addressing these pressing challenges, organizations can position themselves as leaders in workforce development while ensuring their teams are agile and prepared for the future.

Original press release