U.S. Workers Know They Must Adapt but Action Is Stalling, New ETS Report Reveals

78% of U.S. workers say job security no longer exists without continuous adaptation, yet proactive upskilling is trailing global peers, according to the 2026 ETS Human Progress Report — 50 States Edition. The report, based on a survey of more than 15,000 U.S. adults, finds that 85% of workers believe upskilling or reskilling is a necessity. However, only 71% report proactively developing new skills, falling behind the global average of 77% and significantly behind countries like India (89%) and China (80%).

The report highlights that 54% of U.S. workers feel underprepared for future jobs, with 75% having no clear vision of what jobs will look like in 2035. AI is already impacting work, with U.S. workers estimating 26% of their current tasks involve AI, expected to rise to 43% within two years. This AI exposure varies significantly by state, creating a new divide in opportunity.

A significant emotional toll is reported, with 58% of U.S. workers fearing obsolescence, particularly in technology (74%) and financial services (73%). Consequently, 54% of workers have shifted their priorities from seeking job security to staying relevant.

Barriers to upskilling are substantial, with 68% citing cost, 63% struggling to find time, and 57% finding it difficult to get employer support. While 67% are interested in credentialing programs, only 41% have access, representing a 26-point gap.

Workers are seeking support from trusted channels, with 71% wanting government assistance and 89% agreeing that employers should encourage credential goals. Trust in credentialing organizations and employers (43% each) is higher than in government entities (30% state/local, 28% federal).

Conditions for adaptability differ by state. Maine, Hawaii, and Pennsylvania show workers facing the most difficulties, while Alaska, the District of Columbia, and Delaware report fewer obstacles. Delaware leads in proactive skill development with 89% of workers engaged, followed by Alaska (87%) and the District of Columbia (83%).

The education-to-workforce gap is also evident, with 61% of employed U.S. college graduates feeling inadequately prepared by their universities. 90% of respondents believe educational assessments should measure both academic knowledge and practical skills.

The U.S. scores 93.7 on the 2026 ETS Human Progress Index, below the global average of 96.7, indicating Americans perceive greater challenges in accessing education, upward mobility, and upskilling compared to their global counterparts.