Accessible training and AI support drive career mobility.
Accessible training and AI support drive career mobility.

Accessible training and AI support drive career mobility.

Americans see career mobility and long-term financial security as increasingly tied to access to training, inclusive workplaces, and support navigating AI and rapid technological change.

Topline Findings

September 14, 2026 – A new CWI Works survey, with data collection by Ipsos, reveals just over half (52%) of American adults 18 to 75 years of age feel very or extremely confident they would be able to find the necessary skills or credentials training to find a job in a new field. Just over one third (36%) are extremely or very confident they would be able to find a new job within one year that pays as much or more. For the currently unemployed looking for a job, four factors cluster as the top reasons, specifically few job openings in my geographic area (31%), need for additional or updated skills (29%), employers want more experience (28%), and few job openings in their field or industry (27%). When Americans are looking for a new job the term which makes most much more likely to apply for the job is “high potential” (22%), while the term making most much less likely to apply is “recent college graduate” (37%). Americans indicating terms make them less likely to apply for a new job cite “the role is intended for a different age group” as the reason for most of the terms tested.

Just over one third (35%) of Americans aged 18 to 75 currently use AI for their jobs with three in five (60%) saying they are very or extremely comfortable using it. Two in five (40%) somewhat or strongly agree they have the skills and training needed to be successful in an AI-enabled workplace while almost one quarter (23%) somewhat or strongly agree they expect to need to find a new job or a job in a new field within the next 2 years because of AI.

Roughly three quarters (76%) of Americans aged 18 to 75 somewhat or strongly agree people assume older employees are less comfortable with new technology and over three in five (62%) believe that working with colleagues from different generations impacts the work they do positively or very positively.

Detailed Findings

Confidence in finding a job in a new field

  • Just over half of Americans (52%) are extremely (21%) or very (31%) confident they would be able to find the skills/credentials training necessary if they needed to or decided to find a job in a new field. Almost one third (30%) are somewhat confident while almost one in seven (14%) are either not very confident (10%) or not at all confident (4%).
  • Roughly one third (36%) are extremely (14%) or very (22%) confident they would be able to find a new job within one year that pays as much or more. Almost one third (31%) are somewhat confident with just over one quarter (27%) being either not very confident (18%) or not confident at all (9%).

 

Factors impacting confidence in finding a full-time position

  • For those who are unemployed but looking for a job the factors impacting finding full time work in order of impact are There are few job openings in my geographic area (31%), I need additional or updated skills (29%), Employers want more experience (28%), There are few job openings in my field/industry (27%), Employers want younger applicants (22%), AI adoption by employers is limiting opportunities in my field/industry (20%), I need reliable, affordable access to the internet (6%), Other (9%).
  • One in six feel nothing is impacting their confidence (17%).

Impact of terms used in a job description

  • The terms which make Americans aged 18 to 75 much more likely to apply for a job in order of likelihood are high potential (22%), go-getter (20%), high energy (20%), energetic (18%), dynamic (17%), tech-savvy (16%), culture fit (15%), fresh talent (13%), digital-first or digital native (12%), rising star (12%), recent college graduate (10%), startup atmosphere (9%).
  • The term which makes Americans much less likely to apply is recent college graduate (37%). This is followed by 11% who are much less likely to apply to a job description with the term digital-first or digital native.

Reasons why certain terms cause less likelihood of applying

  • The role seems intended for a different age group was the top reason for being less likely to apply to jobs with eight of the twelve terms presented (fresh talent (68%), recent college graduate (53%), high energy (46%), culture fit (44%), energetic (43%), rising star (42%), dynamic (38%), and go-getter(33%)).
  • I would assume I was unqualified is the top reason for the term tech-savvy (74%) and digital-first or digital native (52%).
  • The role seems intended for a different career stage is the top reason cited for the terms startup atmosphere (43%) and high potential (33%)

AI Usage

  • Two thirds of Americans use AI with 6% using it just for their job, 32% just for personal use, and 29% for both.
  • Of those using AI for their job (35%), 27% are extremely comfortable using it and 33% are very comfortable. Less than one in ten (7%) feel they are not very comfortable (6%) or not at all comfortable (1%) using it.
  • Almost two in five Americans (39%) are either extremely interested (17%) or very interested (22%) in learning professional skills including generative AI and other digital skills. Roughly three in ten (29%) are somewhat interested and one in three (33%) are either not very interested (16%) or not at all interested (17%).

Agreement with statements regarding working, training, and AI

  • Two in five Americans aged 18-75 (40%) either strongly agree (14%) or somewhat agree (26%) with the statement I have the skills and training I need to be successful in an AI-enabled workplace. Twenty-nine percent neither agree nor disagree, while just over three in ten (31%) either somewhat disagree (17%) or strongly disagree (13%).
  • Three in ten Americans (30%), strongly agree (7%) or somewhat agree (23%) with the statement it is difficult to find training opportunities to improve my professional skills or learns new ones. Just over one third (36%) either somewhat disagree (23%) or strongly disagree (13%) and 34% neither agree nor disagree.
  • For I expect to need to find a new job or a job in a new field within the next 2 years because of AI, almost one quarter (23%) strongly agree (7%) or somewhat agree (16%). One quarter (25%) neither agree nor disagree with just over half (52%) indicating they somewhat disagree (20%) or strongly disagree (32%).

Generational perceptions

  • Roughly three quarters (76%) of Americans aged 18-75 agree people assume that older employees are less comfortable with new technology, with 30% indicating they strongly agree and 46% reporting they somewhat agree. Approximately one in six (16%) neither agree nor disagree, while 8% disagree (5% somewhat disagree, 3% strongly disagree).
  • Just over three in five (62%) believe that working with colleagues from different generations impacts the work I do positively (21% very positively, 41% positively). In addition, 23% are neutral on the subject and 3% believe the impact is negative (3% negatively, 0% very negatively). Roughly one in eight (12%) stated I do not work with colleagues from other generations.

Satellite broadband

  • Seven in ten (71%) Americans aged 18-75 have heard ofsatellite broadband for home internet.
  • Of those who have heard of it, one in six (17%) currently use it either as their only home internet service (12%) or along with another type of home internet service (5%). Just over three quarters (76%) do not use it with 42% saying that they would be interested in using it in the future and 34% saying they would not be interested.

These are findings of a CWI Works survey, with data collection provided by Ipsos, conducted between July 16 – July 20, 2026. A sample of 1,842 adults aged 18 to 75 were surveyed online; 1,002 nationally representative surveys were collected as part of the Ipsos omnibus with boosts of 410 additional surveys for California and 430 surveys for Florida. The “Total” reflects the results adjusted to represent the overall United States population in proportion to 2025 census data for age by gender, region, income, and ethnicity. Weights were applied to California and Florida respondents to ensure their proportions of the total sample reflect the U.S. population. The results of this research have a credibility interval of plus or minus 2.8 percentage points for the total United States, +/- 5.4 points for California, and +/- 5.3 points for Florida.

Some of the questions with a reduced base for California and Florida have a low base size (N<100) for and should be interpreted with caution.

For full results, please refer to the following annotated questionnaire:

Full Annotated Questionnaire

Q1. If you needed to or decided to find a job in a new field, how confident are you that you could do the following ...
 TotalCaliforniaFlorida
BASE: Total Respondents(n=1842)(n=503)(n=505)
Find the skills/credentials training you would need
Extremely confident21%19%22%
Very confident31%28%35%
Somewhat confident30%36%29%
Not very confident10%10%8%
Not at all confident4%3%3%
Not sure5%5%3%
Find a new job within one year that pays as much or more
Extremely confident14%14%22%
Very confident22%26%24%
Somewhat confident31%31%31%
Not very confident18%16%12%
Not at all confident9%7%7%
Not sure6%6%5%
 
Q2. Which factors, if any, are impacting your confidence in finding a full-time position? Select all that apply
 TotalCaliforniaFlorida
BASE: Unemployed but looking for a job(n=172)(n=47)*(n=46)*
There are few job openings in my geographic area31%32%38%
I need additional or updated skills29%18%34%
Employers want more experience28%21%48%
There are few job openings in my field/industry27%17%24%
Employers want younger applicants22%38%18%
AI adoption by employers is limiting opportunities in my field/industry20%25%29%
I need reliable, affordable access to the internet6%7%22%
Other (please specify)9%7%4%
Nothing is impacting my confidence17%17%23%


 

Q3. If you were seeking employment, how would seeing each of the following terms in a job description affect your likelihood of applying for the role?

 TotalCaliforniaFlorida
BASE: Total Respondents(n=1842)(n=503)(n=505)
High energy
Much more likely20%22%27%
Somewhat more likely30%33%34%
Neither more nor less likely32%28%25%
Somewhat less likely13%10%10%
Much less likely6%7%4%
Dynamic
Much more likely17%19%22%
Somewhat more likely35%41%39%
Neither more nor less likely34%29%28%
Somewhat less likely10%7%8%
Much less likely4%4%3%
Rising star
Much more likely12%17%19%
Somewhat more likely28%29%30%
Neither more nor less likely37%32%31%
Somewhat less likely16%13%14%
Much less likely7%9%5%
Digital-first or digital native
Much more likely12%14%14%
Somewhat more likely22%23%25%
Neither more nor less likely39%42%36%
Somewhat less likely17%12%14%
Much less likely11%9%10%
Recent college graduate
Much more likely10%16%12%
Somewhat more likely13%16%15%
Neither more nor less likely23%22%29%
Somewhat less likely18%19%17%
Much less likely37%28%27%
Energetic
Much more likely18%21%24%
Somewhat more likely35%39%40%
Neither more nor less likely33%28%26%
Somewhat less likely9%7%9%
Much less likely4%5%2%
Q3. If you were seeking employment, how would seeing each of the following terms in a job description affect your likelihood of applying for the role?
(Continued) TotalCaliforniaFlorida
BASE: Total Respondents(n=1842)(n=503)(n=505)
Fresh talent
Much more likely13%18%20%
Somewhat more likely27%32%31%
Neither more nor less likely34%31%30%
Somewhat less likely17%13%13%
Much less likely9%7%7%
High potential
Much more likely22%26%28%
Somewhat more likely40%40%38%
Neither more nor less likely28%24%24%
Somewhat less likely7%8%6%
Much less likely3%3%4%
Startup atmosphere
Much more likely9%14%16%
Somewhat more likely28%30%29%
Neither more nor less likely36%35%37%
Somewhat less likely16%14%11%
Much less likely10%8%7%
Go-getter
Much more likely20%22%25%
Somewhat more likely35%43%42%
Neither more nor less likely31%23%22%
Somewhat less likely10%9%6%
Much less likely4%4%5%
Tech-savvy
Much more likely16%20%21%
Somewhat more likely30%31%31%
Neither more nor less likely32%28%28%
Somewhat less likely15%14%14%
Much less likely7%7%7%
Culture fit
Much more likely15%20%20%
Somewhat more likely29%38%31%
Neither more nor less likely37%29%33%
Somewhat less likely12%8%11%
Much less likely7%5%5%
Q4. Why would the term ___ make you less likely to apply? Select all that apply.
 TotalCaliforniaFlorida
High energy   
BASE: Term would make respondent less likely to apply(n=267)(n=68)*(n=69)*
I would assume I am underqualified.19%19%23%
I would assume I am overqualified.8%14%12%
The role seems intended for a different age group.46%44%47%
The role seems intended for a different career stage.28%22%23%
The compensation is likely too low.10%18%10%
The role seems to not value work-life balance.39%25%37%
Other (please specify):8%10%2%
 TotalCaliforniaFlorida
Dynamic   
BASE: Term would make respondent less likely to apply(n=213)(n=49)*(n=57)*
I would assume I am underqualified.21%20%30%
I would assume I am overqualified.8%11%9%
The role seems intended for a different age group.38%31%34%
The role seems intended for a different career stage.24%36%24%
The compensation is likely too low.13%6%21%
The role seems to not value work-life balance.21%23%24%
Other (please specify):10%8%3%
 TotalCaliforniaFlorida
Rising star   
BASE: Term would make respondent less likely to apply(n=312)(n=86)*(n=84)*
I would assume I am underqualified.18%18%22%
I would assume I am overqualified.11%14%12%
The role seems intended for a different age group.42%39%57%
The role seems intended for a different career stage.39%42%36%
The compensation is likely too low.14%10%9%
The role seems to not value work-life balance.17%17%14%
Other (please specify):6%7%2%
    
 TotalCaliforniaFlorida
Digital-first or digital native   
BASE: Term would make respondent less likely to apply(n=361)(n=78)*(n=102)
I would assume I am underqualified.52%47%49%
I would assume I am overqualified.5%5%2%
The role seems intended for a different age group.33%24%32%
The role seems intended for a different career stage.22%24%21%
The compensation is likely too low.5%12%9%
The role seems to not value work-life balance.9%2%13%
Other (please specify):6%6%6%
Q4. Why would the term ___ make you less likely to apply? Select all that apply.
(Continued) TotalCaliforniaFlorida
Recent college graduate   
BASE: Term would make respondent less likely to apply(n=782)(n=189)(n=200)
I would assume I am underqualified.21%26%29%
I would assume I am overqualified.21%22%17%
The role seems intended for a different age group.53%48%41%
The role seems intended for a different career stage.39%38%35%
The compensation is likely too low.18%15%13%
The role seems to not value work-life balance.6%12%10%
Other (please specify):5%5%7%
 TotalCaliforniaFlorida
Energetic   
BASE: Term would make respondent less likely to apply(n=203)(n=51)*(n=53)*
I would assume I am underqualified.18%12%28%
I would assume I am overqualified.9%11%13%
The role seems intended for a different age group.43%54%37%
The role seems intended for a different career stage.22%30%42%
The compensation is likely too low.12%20%14%
The role seems to not value work-life balance.33%36%24%
Other (please specify):4%10%3%
    
 TotalCaliforniaFlorida
Fresh talent   
BASE: Term would make respondent less likely to apply(n=310)(n=70)*(n=72)*
I would assume I am underqualified.12%11%23%
I would assume I am overqualified.28%22%26%
The role seems intended for a different age group.68%59%53%
The role seems intended for a different career stage.46%32%37%
The compensation is likely too low.23%14%15%
The role seems to not value work-life balance.3%7%13%
Other (please specify):5%3%2%
 TotalCaliforniaFlorida
High potential   
BASE: Term would make respondent less likely to apply(n=187)(n=50)*(n=53)*
I would assume I am underqualified.28%35%22%
I would assume I am overqualified.9%12%17%
The role seems intended for a different age group.24%23%36%
The role seems intended for a different career stage.33%26%45%
The compensation is likely too low.18%16%23%
The role seems to not value work-life balance.17%16%18%
Other (please specify):9%2%0%
Q4. Why would the term ___ make you less likely to apply? Select all that apply.
(Continued) TotalCaliforniaFlorida
Startup atmosphere   
BASE: Term would make respondent less likely to apply(n=319)(n=86)*(n=74)*
I would assume I am underqualified.12%20%14%
I would assume I am overqualified.14%9%10%
The role seems intended for a different age group.34%31%41%
The role seems intended for a different career stage.43%36%26%
The compensation is likely too low.39%19%28%
The role seems to not value work-life balance.36%29%22%
Other (please specify):8%14%2%
 TotalCaliforniaFlorida
Go-getter   
BASE: Term would make respondent less likely to apply(n=209)(n=55)*(n=52)*
I would assume I am underqualified.19%22%10%
I would assume I am overqualified.11%18%26%
The role seems intended for a different age group.33%25%21%
The role seems intended for a different career stage.26%21%39%
The compensation is likely too low.15%21%13%
The role seems to not value work-life balance.37%22%30%
Other (please specify):7%14%0%
 TotalCaliforniaFlorida
Tech-savvy   
BASE: Term would make respondent less likely to apply(n=324)(n=72)*(n=94)*
I would assume I am underqualified.74%61%67%
I would assume I am overqualified.4%8%6%
The role seems intended for a different age group.18%15%21%
The role seems intended for a different career stage.20%22%25%
The compensation is likely too low.4%5%14%
The role seems to not value work-life balance.7%9%8%
Other (please specify):4%2%7%
 TotalCaliforniaFlorida
Culture fit   
BASE: Total Respondents(n=266)(n=62)*(n=70)*
I would assume I am underqualified.12%30%10%
I would assume I am overqualified.10%11%8%
The role seems intended for a different age group.44%25%35%
The role seems intended for a different career stage.18%25%30%
The compensation is likely too low.5%7%12%
The role seems to not value work-life balance.24%12%15%
Other (please specify):19%9%9%
Q5. Have you used generative AI tools such as ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, Co-Pilot, etc., for your job or for personal use?
 TotalCaliforniaFlorida
BASE: Total Respondents(n=1842)(n=503)(n=505)
Yes - for my job6%9%9%
Yes - for personal use32%33%34%
Yes - for both29%33%28%
No31%24%26%
Not sure2%2%2%
 
Q6. How comfortable are you using generative AI for your job?   
 TotalCaliforniaFlorida
BASE: Have used AI for their job(n=604)(n=197)(n=167)
Extremely comfortable27%30%41%
Very comfortable33%32%34%
Somewhat comfortable33%29%21%
Not very comfortable6%8%3%
Not at all comfortable1%1%1%
Not sure0%0%0%
 
Q7. How interested are you in learning professional skills including generative AI and other digital skills (things like coding, Excel, etc.)?
 TotalCaliforniaFlorida
BASE: Total Respondents(n=1842)(n=503)(n=505)
Extremely interested17%19%21%
Very interested22%25%22%
Somewhat interested29%33%27%
Not very interested16%9%15%
Not at all interested17%13%15%
 
[NO Q8]
 
Q9. How much do you agree or disagree with the following statements:
 TotalCaliforniaFlorida
BASE: Total Respondents(n=1842)(n=503)(n=505)
It is difficult to find training opportunities to improve my professional skills or learn new ones
Strongly agree7%9%12%
Somewhat agree23%28%24%
Neither agree nor disagree34%32%31%
Somewhat disagree23%19%23%
Strongly disagree13%11%10%
Q9. How much do you agree or disagree with the following statements:
(Continued) TotalCaliforniaFlorida
BASE: Total Respondents(n=1842)(n=503)(n=505)
I have the skills and training I need to be successful in an AI-enabled workplace
Strongly agree14%16%20%
Somewhat agree26%29%30%
Neither agree nor disagree29%30%26%
Somewhat disagree17%14%12%
Strongly disagree13%11%12%
I expect to need to find a new job or a job in a new field within the next 2 years because of AI
Strongly agree7%9%12%
Somewhat agree16%21%20%
Neither agree nor disagree25%29%24%
Somewhat disagree20%16%16%
Strongly disagree32%25%28%
People assume that older employees are less comfortable with new technology
Strongly agree30%30%31%
Somewhat agree46%38%40%
Neither agree nor disagree16%20%17%
Somewhat disagree5%9%8%
Strongly disagree3%4%4%
 
Q10. I believe that working with colleagues from different generations impacts the work I do:
 TotalCaliforniaFlorida
BASE: Total Respondents(n=1842)(n=503)(n=505)
Very positively21%25%26%
Positively41%38%37%
Neutral23%26%20%
Negatively3%2%4%
Very negatively0%0%1%
I do not work with colleagues from other generations12%9%12%
 
Q11. Have you heard of satellite broadband for home internet (internet delivered via satellites, such as services like Starlink, HughesNet, or Viasat)?
 TotalCaliforniaFlorida
BASE: Total Respondents(n=1842)(n=503)(n=505)
Yes71%68%70%
No20%23%19%
Not sure9%9%10%
Q12. Which of the following best describes you when it comes to using satellite broadband for home internet?
 TotalCaliforniaFlorida
BASE: Have heard of satellite broadband for home internet(n=1228)(n=331)(n=319)

I currently use satellite broadband, and it

is my only home internet service

12%18%18%

I currently use satellite broadband along

with another type of home internet service

5%9%10%

I do not use satellite broadband at home but

would be interested in using it in the future

42%46%47%

I do not use satellite broadband at home and

am not interested in using it in the future

34%22%22%
Not sure6%5%3%

About the Study:

This CWI Works study, with data collection by Ipsos was conducted between July 16 and July 20, 2026, among an online sample of 1,842 adults aged 18 to 75 or older in the United States; 1002 surveys were collected as part of the Ipsos United States omnibus program, where questions on various topics are included in one interview and clients share demographic information collected. Boosts of 410 additional surveys for California and 430 surveys for Florida were also collected. For this survey, post-hoc weights were made to the population characteristics on age, gender, region, income, and ethnicity.

The sample was randomly drawn from Ipsos’ online panel, partner online panel sources, and “river” sampling and does not rely on a population frame in the traditional sense.

The data is weighed using standard procedures such as raking-ratio adjustments, so the composition of each country's sample best reflects the demographic profile of the adult population according to the most recent census data. Population characteristics for age, gender, household income, region, and ethnicity, where applicable, were used in weighting schemes on a country level. The “Total” reflects the result for all the countries and has not been adjusted to the population size of each country.

When percentages do not sum up to 100 or the 'difference' appears to be +/-1 percentage point more/less than the actual result, this may be due to rounding, or multiple responses.

The precision of Ipsos online polls is calculated using a credibility interval with a poll where n=1,000 being accurate to +/-3.5 percentage points and +/- 1.5 percentage points when n=4,000.

Some of the questions with a reduced base for California and Florida have a low base size (N<100) for and should be interpreted with caution.

 

About Ipsos

Ipsos is one of the largest market research and polling companies globally, operating in 90 markets and employing nearly 20,000 people.

Our passionately curious research professionals, analysts and scientists have built unique multi-specialist capabilities that provide true understanding and powerful insights into the actions, opinions and motivations of citizens, consumers, patients, customers or employees. Our 75 business solutions are based on primary data from our surveys, social media monitoring, and qualitative or observational techniques.

“Game Changers” – our tagline – summarizes our ambition to help our 5,000 clients navigate with confidence our rapidly changing world.

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