The popularity of learning and development (L&D) programs is on the rise, but a significant gap exists between employee and executive perceptions of their value, according to a survey by edX. While 84 percent of employees expect employers to provide training for evolving industry skill sets, 51 percent of executives view existing L&D programs as a “waste of time.” Executives also overestimate employee satisfaction, with 65 percent believing employees are “very satisfied,” while only 32 percent of employees express similar contentment. The survey reveals that more than three-quarters of employees would stay with a company offering better training, but 39 percent would consider leaving within a year for improved learning opportunities elsewhere. The dissatisfaction stems from a lack of executive investment and ineffective learning opportunities. To address this, leaders need to allocate work hours for L&D, moving away from on-demand content libraries to class structures that foster accountability and discussion among peers. With executives estimating that nearly half of current workforce skills won’t be relevant in 2025, adapting learning strategies becomes crucial, especially with the growing impact of artificial intelligence in the workplace.