87% of Indian Female Professionals Prioritize Tech Upskilling, Reveals Study

In a dynamic response to the ever-evolving job landscape shaped by technological advancements, the Emeritus Global Workplace Skills Study 2023 spotlights a remarkable trend - 87% of female professionals in India actively seek upskilling opportunities in technology-driven programs.

Conducted across 20 tier-I and II cities in India, the study, facilitated by Emeritus, a leading professional education platform, sheds light on the proactive efforts of women in embracing educational opportunities to navigate challenges arising from tech disruptions reshaping the employment scenario.

Parallel to the upskilling enthusiasm demonstrated by men (88%), the study underscores that women at the C-Suite level are not only equally committed but also willing to invest more in their ongoing education. Female CXOs exhibit a willingness to spend an average of USD 10,000 (approximately Rs 8.45 lakh) on further education within the next year, surpassing their male counterparts by nearly USD 1500 (roughly Rs 1.25 lakh). This data reflects a distinctive trend, positioning women as frontrunners in the rapidly evolving tech-driven industries.

Despite the strides made, the World Economic Forum (WEF) reveals that women constitute only about 26% of AI job roles globally. Skillsoft’s 2022 Women in Tech report echoes this, indicating that 60% of surveyed women feel outnumbered by men in leadership roles at ratios of 2-to-1 or more. The Emeritus study underscores that addressing this disparity and narrowing the gender gap in tech roles hinges on the upskilling of women in the sector.

The study brings to the forefront the varying preferences in investment among female participants across different seniority levels. Junior and middle management, senior management, and business owners express the highest willingness to invest in upskilling within the US$100-US$399 (approximately Rs 8,000 to 34,000) price range annually. In contrast, those at the C-Suite level demonstrate a slightly greater inclination to allocate funds for higher-cost upskilling programs, ranging between US$10,000 – US$50,000.

Motivations driving women and men across different seniority levels to pursue upskilling include boosting self-confidence, developing leadership skills, ensuring job security, and staying abreast of the latest knowledge in the field.

The Emeritus study also highlights a notable divergence in the duration preference for upskilling programs between male and female professionals. While the majority of male professionals prefer shorter programs (up to 2-3 months), female professionals, irrespective of seniority levels, stand out for their readiness to commit 4-6 months for upskilling endeavors.

As the tech landscape continues to evolve, this study paints a picture of determined and empowered female professionals spearheading their journey into the tech-driven future through strategic upskilling initiatives.