The Institutes Knowledge Group's 2025 Skills Report
Reveals Key Insights into the State of Risk Management
and Insurance Skill Development

June 17, 2025

MALVERN, Pa.--According to The Institutes Knowledge Group's annual Skills Report, risk management and insurance professionals are sending a powerful message about their learning priorities: foundational and leadership-driven education is key. This holistic report, which is based on data from The Institutes’ expansive community of learners who completed over 182,000 courses and 13,000 designations in 2024, provides a glimpse into the state of skill development within the RMI landscape.

The data shows that foundational learning remains king. Fundamental skills like risk assessment, coverage analysis, and insurance operations were all highly in demand. In fact, The Associate in Insurance (AINS®), an Institutes Designation designed to help learners master insurance basics, was far and away the top designation earned in 2024. At the same time, there’s been an undeniable surge in professionals enrolling in leadership-driven courses. The Institutes Designations’ CPCU® – the leadership standard in risk management and insurance – accounts for four of the top 10 courses in 2024. These trends indicate that while learners are most engaged at the beginning of their journey, there is also a growing pool of emerging leaders looking to develop their skills.

Organizations can use these insights to create clear learning pathways for their employees, from entry-level roles to executive management positions. There is a critical need for new leaders who can solve problems across the insurance value chain, so capitalizing on employees’ early interest and leveraging that engagement throughout their career enables organizations to future-proof their business.

“We are champions for a skills-first approach to professional development that meets learners where they are and helps them get where they want to be,” said Adam Carmichael, CPCU, President of The Institutes Knowledge Group. “And in today’s competitive landscape, upskilling opportunities and a clear pathway to leadership are non-negotiables for job seekers. We are thrilled to provide valuable resources to RMI organizations that help their employees become even more resilient and prepared to meet tomorrow’s challenges.”

As the risk management and insurance landscape continues to rapidly evolve, it’s more important than ever to equip individuals with the right skills to serve clients, grow their careers, and help their organizations stay competitive. It's likely that over the next year, having the skills to leverage AI in their day-to-day role, safeguard organizations from cyber risks, and predict losses before they occur will become even more essential. Among all the uncertainties the future holds, The Institutes Knowledge Group remains a trusted education partner to help professionals successfully navigate the RMI landscape.