The Institutes Knowledge Group’s 2026 Skills Report Reveals How Risk Management and Insurance Talent is Evolving Their Expertise

Business Wire

The Institutes Knowledge Group – who helps those in risk management and insurance (RMI) build foundational, technical, and leadership expertise to stay ahead of evolving trends – recently released their annual Skills Report, which examines the most in-demand RMI skills from the past year and predicts where professional development is headed.

MALVERN, Pa.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--
According to The Institutes Knowledge Group’s annual Skills Report, risk management and insurance individuals and organizations are taking a more deliberate approach to professional development than ever before. This report, which is based on data from The Institutes’ expansive community of learners who completed over 170,000 courses and earned more than 10,000 designations in 2025, explores where the RMI workforce is investing its time and what skills will carry the most value moving forward.

The market is in transition. As a new wave of talent enters risk management and insurance, the demand for foundational learning remains strong. These newcomers are establishing their footing in insurance fundamentals, claims, and risk management and will soon be looking for their next step. As their transition continues, their focus is expected to shift from building foundational competency to deepening it. Meanwhile, organizations are increasingly looking for talent who are equipped with adaptable soft skills like strategic thinking and communication. As AI becomes more and more embedded in day-to-day insurance operations and the bar for leadership rises, these human-centric skills will become the primary lens through which high-potential leaders are identified.

Risk management and insurance organizations can use these insights to build structured learning pathways that combine early-career interest with long-term organizational needs. By level-setting skills from the start, learning and development professionals can cultivate a larger pool of candidates primed for leadership roles. This approach pairs technical depth with transferable soft skills, creating a more strategic leadership pipeline.

“The findings in our Skills Report highlight that building a strong workforce isn't just about what people learn, but also how they learn it,” said Adam Carmichael, CPCU, president of The Institutes Knowledge Group. “We know from research that simulation-based, experiential learning significantly improves both knowledge retention and on-the-job skill application. Learners thrive when they can work through realistic scenarios in consequence-free environments. This is what will give organizations an edge as they develop future talent.”

The Institutes Knowledge Group continues to lead the way in equipping risk management and insurance with in-demand skills. With experience as a not-for-profit since 1909, The Institutes are committed to helping individuals and organizations succeed by educating, elevating, and connecting those interested in risk management and insurance to create a more informed, resilient world. The 2026 Skills Report offers actionable insights for these individuals and organizations looking to future-proof their learning and development programs.

About The Institutes Knowledge Group

The Institutes Knowledge Group helps people build foundational, technical, and leadership skills to stay ahead of evolving trends in risk management and insurance. We offer more than 25 practical professional Institutes Designations, including CPCU®, along with online courses, micro-courses for learning in the flow of work, collegiate studies, and executive and leadership education programs, all focused on the business of risk management and insurance.

About The Institutes

The Institutes® are a not-for-profit comprised of diverse affiliates that educate, elevate, and connect people in the essential disciplines of risk management and insurance. Through products and services offered by The Institutes’ 21 affiliated business units, people and organizations are empowered to help those in need with a focus on understanding, predicting, and preventing losses to create a more resilient world. Learn more at Global.TheInstitutes.org.