The 2025 Global Skills Report by Coursera reveals a sharp pivot toward skills-based hiring across North America, as employers increasingly value verified skills alongside formal degrees. According to the report, 99% of companies in the region have either adopted or are exploring this approach, aligning with the growing impact of AI on workforce transformation.
Zac Rule, Coursera’s Head of Global Enterprise Sales and Channel, emphasized that learners across North America are turning AI trends into tangible progress. He pointed to the integration of industry-aligned micro-credentials into both workforce training and academic curricula as a powerful driver of GenAI literacy and workforce readiness. Rule also noted the importance of ensuring access to these programs for underrepresented groups, calling it a key strategy to close skill gaps and broaden opportunities.
The U.S. currently ranks fourth globally on Coursera’s AI Maturity Index, cementing its status as a global hub for AI learning and talent. Course enrollment data shows a 135% surge in generative AI courses, a 37% increase in professional certificate programs such as Google’s digital marketing and IT support tracks, and a 15% rise in critical thinking modules.
Top employer-valued skills include AI and machine learning, customer service, creativity, curiosity, and talent management. Coursera’s report suggests that skills-first hiring enables companies to identify job-ready talent, reduce attrition, and create clear, competency-driven career pathways.
To fully embrace a skills-based model, organizations are urged to prioritize skill assessments, validated micro-credentials, and targeted job descriptions that focus on capabilities rather than experience alone.
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Source: Hrdive.com
