INE Highlights Enterprise Shift Toward Hands-On Training Amid Widening Skills Gaps

Cary, North Carolina, USA, Thu, Dec 11, 2025

INE Supports Organizations in Reallocating Budgets for Experiential, Performance-Driven Upskilling

With 90% of organizations encountering critical skills gaps, as reported by (ISC2), and AI reshaping roles in cybersecurity, cloud, and IT operations, there is a significant shift in Learning and Development (L&D) budgets towards hands-on training that offers measurable, real-world outcomes.

INE is well-positioned to facilitate this transition, aiding organizations in investing their end-of-year budgets in scalable labs, simulations, and immersive learning experiences to enhance workforce readiness for 2026.

End-of-Year Budgets Fueling Experiential Learning

With Q4 spending deadlines nearing, organizations are increasingly investing remaining budgets in solutions that offer immediate operational value. Certification-only programs have traditionally been a mainstay of enterprise L&D but struggle to meet current industry demands. Hands-on learning is now favored by both learners and business leaders.

INE enables organizations to direct end-of-year budgets toward:

Real-world labs and simulations Immersive, scenario-based learning Skills pathways tied to practical performance Adaptive training powered by AI Continuously updated content aligned to emerging threats and technologies

Lindsey Rinehart, Chief Executive Officer at INE, stated, "End-of-year budgets are increasingly being deployed toward experiential learning because the impact is immediate, measurable, and directly tied to workforce performance."

Skills Gaps Intensifying Demand for Hands-On Training

The global skills shortage poses significant operational risks, contributing to increased incidents and slower remediation. Research from IBM indicates that skills gaps account for 82% of security breaches, emphasizing the need for training that builds real-world capability.

Hands-on learning has demonstrated effectiveness, with practice-based training delivering up to 75% knowledge retention compared to 5–20% for lecture-based programs and reducing time-to-competency by up to 45%.

AI Adoption Accelerating Practice-First Learning

AI-driven corporate training is expanding rapidly, with strong growth projected. As AI transforms workflows, enterprises require training systems that adapt to learner proficiency and continuously assess skills readiness.

INE’s platform aligns with these demands, offering dynamic hands-on labs and intelligent analytics that organizations can scale globally.

INE Positioned to Support 2026 Workforce Needs

As organizations finalize their 2026 workforce development strategies, INE provides an experiential training platform aimed at reducing operational risk and accelerating skills development. By directing end-of-year budgets toward hands-on training with INE, enterprises can:

Reduce ramp-up time for technical teams Validate skills with measurable, performance-based analytics Increase workforce readiness and resilience Support continuous upskilling for emerging technologies Deploy scalable, real-world training globally

Rinehart noted, "Enterprises that invest their remaining Q4 budgets into hands-on, performance-driven learning will enter 2026 with stronger teams and significantly improved operational readiness."

INE Enterprise enables companies to convert training investments into measurable performance gains that directly support business resilience and growth.

INE Security is a leading provider of online networking and cybersecurity training and certification. Utilizing a robust hands-on lab platform and world-class instructors, INE Security is the preferred training provider for Fortune 500 companies globally. It delivers advanced technical training and lowers barriers worldwide for those pursuing IT careers.

Based on reporting by Cyber Security News.