California Workers Demand Skills Training, but Credential Confusion Stalls Progress — Instructure Holdings, Inc.

Event summary

84% of California workers are interested in upskilling, but 69% feel unprepared for today's workforce.
47% of workers are unsure which credentials employers value, and 78% say transferring credentials is too difficult.
90% of workers believe standardized credentials could unlock greater mobility across education and workforce systems.
The survey was conducted by The Harris Poll on behalf of Instructure from February 9-18, 2026, among 507 California adults.

The big picture

Instructure's research highlights a critical gap in California's labor market: while workers are eager to upskill, the lack of standardized credentials creates barriers to economic mobility. This tension is particularly relevant as skills-based hiring becomes more prevalent, requiring both workers and employers to navigate an increasingly complex credentialing landscape. The findings underscore the need for systemic improvements to align education and workforce systems with the evolving demands of the job market.

What we're watching

Credential Standardization: Whether California can implement clearer, more portable credentials to reduce friction in skills-based hiring.
Workforce Readiness: How employers will adapt to the growing demand for skills-based hiring and the challenges of validating worker credentials.
Policy Impact: The pace at which statewide initiatives like the Career Passport will address the credential confusion highlighted in the survey.

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