Bright Horizons Study Reveals 'Mobility Cliff' Hindering Career Advancement
Event summary
- Bright Horizons' 2026 Education Index study found 77% of employees prefer staying with current employers if clear internal advancement opportunities exist.
- 47% of employees don't know where to begin when trying to advance their careers through learning new skills.
- 80% of employees want confirmation from employers that they are building the right skills for career progression.
- Employees with actively involved managers are significantly more likely to advance after completing training (43% vs. 28%).
The big picture
Bright Horizons' research highlights a critical gap in workforce development where upskilling investments are not always connected to clear career advancement pathways. This 'mobility cliff' phenomenon underscores the need for organizations to integrate learning experiences with internal mobility strategies, particularly as economic uncertainty drives employees to seek security within their current roles. The study suggests that companies like CVS Health and Synchrony are leading examples of aligning education programs with defined career pathways.
What we're watching
- Manager Engagement
- How actively involved managers will affect employee career advancement rates.
- Program Alignment
- Whether employers can sustain the alignment of upskilling investments with visible internal career opportunities.
- Retention Strategies
- The pace at which companies adopt strategic workforce education programs to drive retention and engagement.