Skills Report 2026

  • Over 90% of organizations surveyed report at least one critical skills gap, with AI and automation cited as the number one capability shortfall
  • 60% of organizations surveyed have already experienced moderate to severe operational and financial impact from tariffs and trade disruption

Leaders increasingly recognize the importance of skills in managing disruption and unlocking opportunity, but awareness alone isn't enough.

The question this research seeks to answer is whether organizational capability is keeping pace with the reality of trade policy and technological adoption.

The Readiness Gap: A Market View of Capability Across Supply Chains for 2026

5 key themes from this year’s report:

  • The skills gap is now universal – over 9 in 10 organisations are operating with at least one critical gap.
  • AI readiness vs workforce readiness – 83% say they're prepared for AI, yet AI and automation remain the number one skills shortfall.
  • Trade disruption is already hitting hard – 60% have experienced moderate to severe financial and operational impact from tariffs and global instability.
  • Compliance knowledge is too concentrated – just 7% believe trade compliance expertise is spread effectively across the business.
  • Training investment isn't keeping pace – budgets remain low, measurement is limited, and the cost of inaction is rising.