LISLE, Ill. Nov. 20, 2025 – The AI revolution is reshaping the world at an unprecedented pace and transforming industries and workflows alike. As emerging technologies proliferate, durable skills are often overlooked despite their increasing importance in an AI-enhanced workplace. To future-proof their careers and differentiate themselves in tomorrow’s talent economy, workers must strike the right balance between durable and technical skills.
DeVry Chief Administrative Officer Dave Barnett sits at the helm of the University’s Human Resources, DeVryWorks, Public Relations, Communications and Alumni Relations functions. In doing so, he drives exceptional learner and partner outcomes by identifying synergies between higher education offerings and workplace transformation.
In this Q&A, Barnett contextualizes the role of durable and technical skills in ensuring job security against the backdrop of salient findings from DeVry University’s third annual report on the state of upskilling in the U.S., Bridging the gap: Overcoming a silent standoff in America’s talent economy.
Q: What does DeVry’s third annual report reveal surrounding the perceptions of skilled AI usage in today’s workplace and tomorrow’s talent economy?
A: DeVry’s research reveals diverging perspectives among employers and workers about skilled AI usage. 57% of workers cite the skilled use of AI as the most valuable employment skill or qualification for workers to have in tomorrow’s economy. In contrast, only 46% of employers say the same. These findings underscore a widening AI perception gap among employers and workers, signaling misalignment on the value of these technical skills alone.
Employers can play a pivotal role in bridging this gap by providing prescriptive guidance to their workers on how, when and why to use AI. Workers crave more direction and transparency on these fronts. Specifically, DeVry’s research demonstrates that 39% of workers would feel more confident using AI in their roles if they understood how AI tools work and what information they use.
Tomorrow’s talent economy will be defined in large part by employers’ capacity to drive sustained communication across their workforce about how, when and why to leverage AI and other emerging technologies. Employers’ willingness to communicate how AI skills align with business needs will in turn pave the way for workers’ willingness to learn new technical competencies and adapt evolving skill sets.
Q: At the same time, DeVry’s third annual report reveals that 78% of employers say durable skills are the new job security amidst constant change, and 63% of workers agree. What’s the role of durable skills in today’s talent economy?
A: While it’s essential to recognize the evolving influence of AI in today’s talent economy, durable skills remain central to career advancement and job security. 70% of employers say durable skills are often the deciding factor in promotions. In addition, 39% of employers feel that not having the durable skills to compete with others is a top reason to let one worker go over another. Employers also rate critical thinking and problem-solving as the most valuable employment skills and qualifications for workers to have in tomorrow’s economy, illuminating the role of durable skills in workplace progression.
Workers must demonstrate prowess in both durable and technical skills to differentiate themselves in tomorrow’s talent economy. While AI can automate tasks and generate new opportunities, workers’ nuanced judgment, ethical reasoning, creativity and collaboration will ensure emerging technologies are used responsibly and to their fullest potential.
Q: How is DeVry University ensuring that graduates emerge with both durable and technical skills to thrive in an increasingly AI-driven workplace?
A: DeVry University’s mission is to give learners at any stage the opportunity to meaningfully improve their lives, communities and workplaces. As one of the first institutions to offer online classes in the late 1990s, DeVry University is committed to continuous evolution that meets the diverse needs of the students it serves. Through stackable credentials and flexible learning pathways, DeVry integrates durable and technical skills development within its offerings.
For example, 2025 marks the two-year anniversary of DeVry’s Artificial Intelligence Lab, which was founded to transform academic potential into academic performance to meet the growing needs of an AI-driven workplace. In addition, DeVry embeds durable skills development across offerings. Specifically, DeVry provides complimentary skills development training focused on areas like group dynamics and customer service, as well as career tools like the “Soft Skills Quiz” which can help users pinpoint growth areas and craft a plan to build tailored skills.
Q: What have you learned about in-demand durable and technical skills from your leadership of DeVryWorks and its employer partners?
A: DeVryWorks is the workforce development arm of DeVry University. This no-nonsense, industry-focused approach continues to respond to the skills needs of organizations while creating learning pathways for highly motivated individuals as they balance their commitment to education with work, family and other aspects of their busy lives.
The rich knowledge exchange that DeVryWorks enables is unparalleled. By working with real-world leaders and teams, DeVry helps identify skills gaps and relevant concerns that shape the workplace of the future. This ongoing pulse check on in-demand skills enhances DeVry’s ability to meet learners’ needs and understand how learning translates into real-world outcomes in the workplace.
DeVryWorks offers more affordable upskilling solutions for qualifying employees by utilizing the tax incentivized dollars in companies’ existing tuition benefits program, as well as tuition saving and grants opportunities. The University’s talent development solutions are curated from the vast curriculum of DeVry’s certificate and degree programs and designed for teams in areas such as information technology and security, operations and supply chain, as well as accounting and finance.
A well-rounded skillset that balances relevant technical expertise and human-based traits that promote collaborative, innovative work environments is the key to unlocking job security—now and in the future. This delicate balance between durable and technical skills underscores the pivotal role that higher education institutions, like DeVry University, play in helping close the opportunity gap and equipping learners at any age or career stage for sustained professional success.
To learn more about how durable and technical skills are shaping the future of work, explore DeVry’s full report: Bridging the gap: Overcoming a silent standoff in America’s talent economy.
