A new report from Allied Market Research, shared via Learning News, predicts the global corporate training market will hit $805.6 billion by 2035. That’s more than double its 2023 value. The reason? Continuous digital transformation and a growing demand for upskilling. For L&D leaders, this growth signals both opportunity and responsibility: the chance to prove learning’s commercial impact on a scale we’ve never seen before.

The Story Behind the Surge

Imagine being told that in just ten years, your industry will double in size. That’s exactly what’s happening in corporate learning.

According to Learning News, the global training market, currently worth $361.5 billion, is projected to grow at a 7% annual rate through to 2035. The main drivers are:

• Rapid technological change and digital transformation across industries

• Rising pressure to upskill and reskill workforces

• Stronger focus on compliance and risk management

• The need for continuous employee engagement and retention

  
  

Sectors leading the charge include FMCG, pharmaceuticals, financial services, and IT, with North America expected to maintain the largest share of the market thanks to its innovation culture and tech investment.

But growth won’t come without challenges. The report highlights ongoing issues around budget pressure, limited learner time, and persistent questions about ROI. So far, so familiar for today’s L&D leaders.

What’s Fueling the Boom in Corporate Training?

1. Digital Transformation Isn’t Slowing Down

Every new technology demands new skills. Continuous learning is essential to stay competitive.

2. Compliance Is Getting Tougher

With new regulations emerging in data privacy, sustainability, and workplace safety, organisations are investing more in compliance-led training to reduce risk.

3. Employees Expect Development

The modern workforce sees professional growth as part of the job offer. Comprehensive learning programmes are now central to attracting and keeping talent.

4. Soft Skills Are Back in Focus

As automation takes on routine tasks, creativity, communication, and leadership are becoming the new power skills. Learning leaders must now design programmes that balance technical capability with emotional intelligence.

What This Means for L&D Leaders

For those leading large-scale learning functions, this predicted growth is both validation and a wake-up call. The world is finally recognising that corporate training has the potential to be a growth enabler.

But there’s a catch: expectations will rise too. Budgets will grow, but so will scrutiny. L&D teams will need to prove performance.

To stay ahead, forward-thinking leaders are already:

• embedding learning impact evaluation from the start;

• linking learning outcomes directly to business KPIs;

• investing in custom eLearning content that reflects brand values and real-world challenges;

• using instructional design to blend human creativity with digital delivery; and

• building learning cultures that are measurable, inclusive, and continuous.

  
  

At Popcorn, we see this evolution every day. The most successful organisations aren’t just buying more training, but designing better learning.

The Future of Corporate Training: Bigger, Smarter, More Human

While training may be set to double, the human factor will remain constant. The report points to a growing need for soft skills and leadership development. This is proof that even in a digital-first world, people power performance.

The L&D leaders who thrive will be those who combine innovation with impact. Those who can explain, with evidence, how learning drives growth, culture, and customer success.

FAQs

Q: Why is the corporate training market growing so fast?Because digital transformation keeps creating new skill gaps faster than universities or recruitment can fill them.

Q: Does this mean more budget for L&D teams?Yes, but with strings attached. Boards will expect stronger ROI and clearer business alignment.

Q: What types of training will dominate by 2035?Digital learning solutions, compliance, leadership, and soft skills — all supported by data-driven learning analytics and AI personalisation.

Final Thought

By 2035, the corporate training market will be worth more than $800 billion. The question isn’t whether your organisation will invest in learning, but how smartly it will do it.

If you’re ready to turn that growth forecast into measurable impact, Popcorn can help. Our learning and development solutions blend creativity, evidence, and technology to deliver learning that performs.