randstad enterprise’s new talent trends research highlights the rise of AI-powered skills strategies and the increasing importance of embracing workforce agility.

  • A new era for how work gets done is emerging, driven by AI: 82% of company leaders positively regard the proliferation of new advancements, like AI and HR technologies, suggesting a new era of work in which technology and human skills intertwine.
  • Skills are the new currency: 83% of companies have already adopted or are transitioning to a skills-based talent management model, recognizing that skills, not just roles, are crucial for future success. 
  • Belonging drives business success: More than three-quarters (78%) of organizations acknowledge the positive impact of equity efforts and 89% say equity is embedded within their talent strategies and integral to everything they do — a 13-point increase since last year.

Randstad Enterprise, a global talent solutions provider, today released its 2025 Talent Trends Report, which reveals how talent leaders are preparing for a new world of work shaped by artificial intelligence (AI), shifting socio-economic dynamics and a rapidly evolving skills landscape.

AI’s role in building better workplace cultures.

The integration of AI is not just impacting business operations. It's fundamentally reshaping workplace culture. From fostering inclusivity to enhancing the employee experience, here's how AI is driving a new era of work:

  1. A new era for how work gets done is emerging, driven by AI: As 82% of company leaders positively regard the proliferation of new advancements, like AI and HR technologies, it’s clear that AI is becoming increasingly intertwined with workplace culture. This aligns with talent globally identifying AI as their most preferred skilling opportunity, according to Randstad’s Workmonitor research.
  2. AI is empowering a more purposeful and satisfying work experience: 84% of talent leaders find that robots and machine learning are alleviating mundane tasks, giving knowledge workers more time to focus on engaging, fulfilling work and driving innovation.
  3. Career growth in the age of AI is a top priority for organizations: Recognizing the significant impact of AI on the workforce, 82% of employers are proactively providing training for workers who are impacted by AI to help them remain employed and find new opportunities. However, this does contrast with what talent have reported: in the last six months, just 33% of workers say they have seen an increase in training opportunities.
  4. Neurodivergent talent is poised to thrive with the help of AI: It is predicted that by 2027, 20% of the Fortune 500 will actively recruit neurodivergent talent to enhance performance. This aligns with Randstad’s research: 89% of talent leaders embed inclusion within their strategies, and 43% have adjusted recruitment processes to better support talent of all backgrounds. Similarly, additional Randstad research finds that 55% of talent with disabilities use AI for workplace problem-solving, compared to just 39% of non-disabled peers.

rethink how work gets done.

The way work is structured is evolving, moving beyond rigid job roles to a more flexible, skills-driven model. By leveraging a diverse mix of talent — including full-time employees, freelancers, contractors and gig workers — organizations can increase agility, improve workforce planning and unlock new opportunities for growth.

Here's how talent leaders are embracing this shift:

  1. Workforce agility is the new normal: 87% of leaders say their talent strategies are now more focused on building a truly agile workforce than ever before.
  2. The demand for flexibility is driving new work arrangements: In response to the evolving talent landscape, 46% of talent leaders are prioritizing the creation of a more fluid and flexible workforce. This aligns with Randstad’s Workmonitor finding that 31% of workers would quit a job if it didn't provide enough flexibility.
  3. Value creation takes center stage: 84% of talent leaders are prioritizing creating value for their organization over simple cost savings.

step into the skills-first era.

Organizations are recognizing that skills are a critical currency of work. To remain competitive, they're embracing a skills-first approach to talent acquisition, development and internal mobility. Here are some of the key actions they are taking: 

  1. Bridging the leadership gap is crucial: 45% of employers are investing in executive coaching programs to develop the leadership skills needed to navigate the future of work.
  2. A skills-based approach is now a business imperative: The vast majority of companies (83%) are transitioning to, or have already adopted, a skills-based model for talent acquisition and management.
  3. Internal talent marketplaces are gaining momentum: 81% of employers believe talent acquisition will be focused on internal mobility more than external recruitment, and internal talent marketplaces are helping to accelerate this shift.

As organizations accelerate their adoption of AI, skills development and flexible work models, the human element must remain central. More than three-quarters (78%) of talent management leaders say equity efforts have had a positive impact on their business, yet talent expectations continue to rise. Nearly 60% of workers believe their employers aren’t doing enough to promote equity, while almost two-thirds agree that such initiatives make a real difference and want them to be more ambitious. 

“The last decade has been a period of disruption unlike any other, and talent leaders have played a critical role in navigating organizations through global crises and shifting expectations,” said Mike Smith, Chief Executive at Randstad Enterprise. "The future demands that they reimagine work in the age of AI, balancing ethical applications and optimal efficiencies while developing and upskilling the workforce to reach its greatest potential.”

additional resources.

about the randstad enterprise talent trends report.

The 2024 Talent Trends research is a survey of 1,076 C-suite and talent leaders at global and regional organizations across 21 markets worldwide. It is our largest survey in the nine-year history of the Talent Trends Report and is designed to help our clients and the broader business community understand the top HR and talent acquisition trends for 2024. Conducted by a third party on behalf of Randstad Enterprise, survey panels are composed of business leaders who influence both strategic and operational decisions for their organizations. Online surveys were conducted via external panels during Q4 of 2023. Interviews were self-administered and could be taken across devices (including mobile phones, tablets, desktops and laptops). 

Markets surveyed: Argentina, ​​Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, Hungary, India, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Netherlands, Nordics, Poland, Singapore, Spain, Switzerland, U.K., U.S.

about randstad enterprise.

Randstad Enterprise is the leading global talent solutions provider, enabling companies to create sustainable business value and agility by keeping people at the heart of their organizations. As part of Randstad N.V. — a global talent leader with revenue of € 25.4 billion — we combine unmatched talent data and market insights with smart technologies and deep people expertise. Our integrated talent solutions – talent acquisition (RPO, MSP, services procurement/SOW and talent BPO) delivered through Randstad Sourceright, and talent development and transition (talent mobility, career coaching and outplacement) delivered through Randstad RiseSmart – help companies build a skilled and agile workforce that moves their business forward.

For more information, visit www.randstadenterprise.com.

about randstad.

Randstad is a global talent leader with the vision to be the world’s most equitable and specialized talent company. As a partner for talent and through our four specializations - Operational, Professional, Digital and Enterprise - we provide clients with the high-quality, diverse and agile workforces that they need to succeed in a talent scarce world. We help people secure meaningful roles, develop relevant skills and find purpose and belonging in their workplace. Through the value we create, we are committed to a better and more sustainable future for all. 

Headquartered in the Netherlands, Randstad operates in 39 markets and has approximately 40,000 employees. In 2023, we supported 2 million talent to find work and generated a revenue of €25.4 billion. Randstad N.V. is listed on the Euronext Amsterdam. For more information, see www.randstad.com 

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