How to Create Smarter Upskilling Programs in the Fastest-Growing Industries

If your employees aren’t advancing their skills, your business is falling behind. That’s why every company needs to invest in employee upskilling. And that’s why leading organizations partner with Workforce Edge. More than an education benefits platform, we’re a strategic partner in workforce development and talent mobility. In fact, a recent total dollar investment analysis from our platform data shows that we’ve helped employers invest over $100 million in their employees.

By combining curated learning pathways, intelligent technology, and consultative expertise, we help organizations close critical skill gaps and create employee career development opportunities that can drive recruitment and support retention. From streamlined education benefit management to career-aligned learning and real-time ROI insights, we make it easier to invest in your people and see the payoff. 

Skills are crucial and so is holding on to talented employees. According to the LinkedIn 2025 Workplace Learning Report, 88% of organizations are concerned about employee retention. Because of this, every organization needs to focus on workforce development. But each company has its own unique needs. Case in point: Caesars Entertainment faced staff turnover and talent mobility challenges unique to the hospitality industry. See how Caesars went all-in on education with Workforce Edge and made big progress toward retention and employee development.

Hospitality isn’t the only sector with special challenges. Let’s explore how Workforce Edge can help employers create a future-ready workforce, especially in today’s fast-moving, in-demand fields.

Healthcare: A cure for the staffing crisis?

Healthcare faces a crisis of turnover, retention, and growing demand for care. How serious is it? According to a 2024 Health Resources and Services Administration report, the U.S. is projected to have a shortage of nearly 700,000 critical healthcare workers, including physicians, RNs and LPNs by 2037. Whether it’s building entry-level skills or providing specialized continuing education for healthcare professionals, healthcare systems need solutions—and workers need support. 

Workforce Edge supports healthcare talent from front-line roles to advanced clinical leadership, helping you retain high-potential employees, reduce hiring strain, and grow clinical excellence within the workforce your patients depend on.  

Here are just a few examples of specific programs that support workforce development in healthcare. 

Certificate programs

• Certified Clinical Medical Assistant
• Patient Care Technician
• Pharmacy Technician
• Surgical Technologist

Undergraduate programs

• Associate of Science in Healthcare Administration
• Associate of Science in Medical Coding
• Bachelor of Nursing (RN-to-BSN)
• Bachelor of Science – Healthcare Administration
• Bachelor of Science in Health Information Management

Graduate programs

• Master of Business Administration – Healthcare
• Master of Healthcare Management
• Master of Science in Nursing
• Doctor of Health Administration
• Doctor of Nursing Practice – DNP

IT, Cybersecurity and AI: Secure the workforce that secures your business

Without the right technology skills, innovation stalls and threats can multiply. IT, AI, and cybersecurity are fundamental to just about every organization. They’re also fields in high demand: According to the ManpowerGroup 2025 Employment Outlook Survey, the IT industry continues to report the strongest hiring intentions at 36% across all sectors.

When you fortify your organization’s tech skills, you can maximize performance and reduce cybersecurity risk. You also support retention and open new career development programs. Strengthen your tech workforce with continuing professional development courses and cybersecurity training and certification programs that can help your team keep pace with change:

Graduate programs

• Master of Science in Information Technology
• Master of Science in Cybersecurity

Manufacturing: keep the line moving forward with skill-building education

Manufacturing is changing fast. Too many teams lack the skills to keep up. According to a 2024 talent study by Deloitte and The Manufacturing Institute, “the net need for new employees in manufacturing could be around 3.8 million between 2024 and 2033. And, around half of these open jobs (1.9 million) could remain unfilled if manufacturers are not able to address the skills gap and the applicant gap.”

Partner with Workforce Edge to create a workforce solution with targeted upskilling. Check out professional development courses online that can help you promote efficiency with a more skilled and agile workforce, plus leadership training options to help employees build skills to advance in their careers and prepare to take on senior leadership roles.

Certificate programs

• Certified Supply Chain Professional (CSCP)
• Certified Manufacturing Associate
• Certified Manufacturing Engineer
• Robotics Technician 
• Engineering Technician
• Facilities Maintenance Safety Certificate  

Undergraduate programs

• Bachelor of Science in Manufacturing Engineering
• Bachelor of Science in Industrial Engineering Technology 
• Bachelor of Science in Logistics and Supply Chain Management
• Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering

Graduate programs

• Master of Science in Manufacturing Engineering
• Master of Science in Manufacturing Systems Engineering 
• Professional Master’s in Manufacturing Leadership 

Financial services: make a smart investment in your people

Another key sector, another talent shortage: According to the Corporate Finance Institute 2021 Report, 67% of organizations face a financial skills gap—and 96% of finance professionals prefer employers that provide online training.

Workforce Edge can help your employees build skills to support your organization’s financial core while helping to create finance career paths that can attract and retain top talent. From foundational literacy to advanced financial strategy, you’ll find affordable, career-relevant education programs: 

Certificate programs

• Certified Bookkeeper 
• Certified Internal Auditor 
• Chartered Tax Professional 
• Certified Treasury Professional®
• Graduate Accounting Certificate 
• Diploma in Bookkeeping and Payroll Accounting

Undergraduate programs

• Associate's Degree – Accounting 
• Business Administration – Finance 
• Bachelor of Science in Economics and Finance
• Bachelor of Science in Finance and Technology
• Bachelor of Science in Business Accounting 
• Bachelor of Science in Accounting

Graduate programs

• Doctor of Philosophy in Business Management Accounting 
• Master of Business Administration – Accounting
• MBA – Accounting and Finance
• Master of Science in Finance

Prepare your workforce for what’s next

The future of your workforce depends on the skills your employees build today. Whether you’re navigating staffing shortages, looking to design a talent development plan, or preparing for the next wave of industry change, one thing is clear: upskilling isn’t optional; it’s essential. 

More and more organizations are recognizing the value of supporting employee education: According to Harvard Business Review 2024 Pulse Survey, 60% of employers have improved retention with tuition assistance programs. Workforce Edge can help you make the most of your education investment with pathways designed to align with your workplace goals and the career growth your employees seek.

Ready to leverage your education benefits as part of your talent mobility strategy? Let’s discuss how we can partner with you to create industry-relevant education pathways for employees from all education levels and backgrounds.