Trend Watch

Workforce Priorities

The pressure to build a skilled workforce has never been higher — but are organizations actually following through? In this episode of CompTIA TrendWatch, Senior Director of Research Seth Robinson walks through highlights from CompTIA's newly released Workforce and Learning Trends report. This year's research expanded its scope to include IT leaders alongside HR and learning and development professionals, revealing a more complete — and more complicated — picture of how organizations are approaching skill development in 2025. With 83% of surveyed professionals ranking skill building as a high priority, the intent is clearly there. But intent and execution are two different things. Seth digs into where organizations are putting their money, where communication is breaking down, and why the gap between HR and IT may be one of the biggest obstacles standing between a company and a truly future-proof workforce. Organizations are concentrating training investments in three areas above all others — AI, cybersecurity, and data. But the report also highlights growing investment in digital fluency across the entire workforce, not just the IT department. As AI literacy becomes a baseline expectation at every level, organizations are being forced to rethink how they assess and develop skills across the board. One of the more revealing findings is the disconnect between how HR and IT perceive the risks and rewards of training. HR worries about retention. IT worries about ROI. Understanding that divide is the first step toward closing it. The Workforce and Learning Trends 2026 report is available now: https://www.comptia.org/en/resources/research/workforce-and-learning-trends-2026/ [https://www.comptia.org/en/resources/research/workforce-and-learning-trends-2026/]

Global Talent Trends

Technology hiring is evolving around the world, but some trends remain surprisingly consistent. In this episode of CompTIA TrendWatch, Seth Robinson explores new workforce data from the EMEA and APAC regions, uncovering how tech hiring patterns compare to the United States. From software and cybersecurity roles to the growing importance of skills-based hiring, this conversation examines how organizations worldwide are building the future tech workforce. Topics include: * Global distribution of tech job roles * How industries outside of tech are hiring technology talent * The rise of skills-focused hiring practices * Why international markets are investing heavily in early-career talent * Differences between U.S., EMEA, and APAC hiring trends * What these shifts mean for employers and aspiring tech professionals As digital transformation accelerates worldwide, understanding where the workforce is heading has never been more important. Explore CompTIA Research: https://www.comptia.org/resources/research #CompTIA #TrendWatch #TechJobs #Cybersecurity #ITCareers #DigitalTransformation #TechWorkforce #AI #Technology #SkillsBasedHiring

Job Myths

Every time there's a tech layoff, the headlines spiral. But are technology jobs actually in trouble? CompTIA's Seth Robinson breaks down the recurring narratives around tech employment — from big company layoffs to AI fears — and separates the myth from the data. CompTIA's monthly Tech Jobs Report tells a different story than the headlines. Tech job postings have increased every month so far in 2026, AI hasn't meaningfully impacted those numbers yet, and a single company's headcount swing isn't the same as an occupation in decline. Seth also tackles the accessibility myth — yes, tech careers are reachable without a four-year degree, but the 126% wage premium over the US median reflects real complexity that requires real training. What you'll learn: • Why a tech company layoff isn't the same as a tech occupation crisis • How big tech headcount growth gets lost in layoff headlines • What AI is actually doing (and not doing) to tech job numbers • The truth about how accessible — and how demanding — tech careers really are Learn more and explore the full report [https://www.comptia.org/en-us/resources/research/tech-jobs-report/]

AI Reality

Artificial intelligence is everywhere, but how much of the workforce is actually using it in meaningful ways? In this episode of TrendWatch, Seth Robinson breaks down key findings from CompTIA's latest research on AI awareness, familiarity, and real-world usage. While headlines suggest rapid adoption, the reality across industries tells a more nuanced story. This episode explores three critical insights shaping the future of AI in the workforce: • Why AI familiarity is still concentrated around a handful of widely known tools • The growing gap between individual experimentation and true enterprise integration • How skill-building is evolving from casual learning to structured, role-specific training As organizations move from curiosity to capability, the challenge isn't just adopting AI, it's integrating it into workflows, aligning teams, and building scalable skills across the workforce. If you're thinking about where AI fits into your organization, your team, or your own career path, this is a conversation you need to hear. For more insights and research from CompTIA, visit https://www.comptia.org Subscribe for more TrendWatch episodes covering the trends shaping the future of technology and the workforce. #AI #ArtificialIntelligence #FutureOfWork #CompTIA #TechTrends #WorkforceDevelopment

Workforce Trends

In this episode of CompTIA's TrendWatch, Seth Robinson breaks down key insights from the newly released State of the Tech Workforce report, one of CompTIA's most comprehensive annual analyses of the U.S. tech landscape. The discussion explores projected growth in tech occupations, the distinction between tech industry jobs and tech roles across all sectors, and what recent data reveals about hiring trends. Seth also addresses common misconceptions around layoffs and explains why they don't necessarily signal a decline in tech careers overall. A major focus of the episode is the role of AI in the workforce. Rather than replacing jobs, current data shows AI is reshaping roles and transforming how work gets done. The conversation also examines why entry-level hiring slowed and what's really behind that shift, along with the long-term implications for talent pipelines. This episode offers valuable perspective for anyone entering the tech field, building teams, or planning for the future of workforce development. Watch to understand where the tech workforce is headed and what it means for you. Learn more and explore the full report [https://www.comptia.org/en/resources/research/state-of-the-tech-workforce-2026/?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=social]