Education is an investment that Indians are willing to make, even in times of economic uncertainty. A recent study by Emeritus, a leader in professional education, revealed that 82% of Indians surveyed have shown increased interest in online education due to the current macroeconomic conditions.
The survey, conducted by Emeritus, questioned 6,600 professionals aged between 21 and 65 across 18 countries, including India, the US, China, the UK, Brazil, Mexico, and UAE, among others. The results of the study showed that 73% of Indians are more interested in pursuing further education due to recent global developments, compared to the worldwide average of 55%. Additionally, 94% of Indians consider a paid online programme format for continued learning and upskilling, and 86% of Indian professionals agreed that a high-quality upskilling programme would allow them to achieve their career-related goals.
The survey also highlighted that even as most Indians approached household spending with caution, education was still seen as a necessary and worthwhile investment for career growth. In fact, two out of every three Indians surveyed were willing to spend more on education for themselves, their children or family.
Mohan Kannegal, CEO of India and APAC, Emeritus, said: “The global workforce is currently battling several challenges to stay relevant – from technological disruptions to economic uncertainties. We understand from our Indian learners that education is a top priority, and interest in online learning continues to grow.”
The results of the survey also showed that Indians look to education for confidence and safety net, with 86% of the professionals surveyed agreeing that further education was hugely helpful in building their skills and increasing job security. Additionally, 94% of Indians considered a paid online programme format for continued learning and upskilling, and 86% of Indian professionals also said that a high-quality upskilling programme would allow them to achieve their career-related goals.
The third edition of the Emeritus Global Workplace Skills Study 2023 showed that with technology continuing to emerge, online learning adoption can grow in the country, with 9 in 10 Indians strongly believing that online learning adoption is set to increase soon. Additionally, the study discovered that most Indians embrace the concept of life-long learning and agree that learning helps them feel confident, creative and inspired to develop personally and professionally.
In conclusion, the study demonstrated that Indians are looking to upskill themselves in order to stay competitive and achieve career advancements. With educational institutions offering more online courses, Indians are increasingly looking to work at companies that offer educational benefits. Emeritus is dedicated to bringing online education to more learners nationwide, and are at the forefront of making high-quality education accessible and affordable for all.
