Report highlights training strength, AI concerns

This year’s report includes perspectives from 16 industries and separates respondents into two groups: Business Leaders (such as owners, directors, and heads of department) and Employees (including managers, team leaders, and non-managerial staff). The findings highlight a profession that remains confident in the value of training, while also facing uncertainty around AI adoption, workforce preparedness, and future investment priorities.

Key findings

AI: Balancing optimism with concern. Over 63% of business leaders are optimistic about AI’s potential in health and safety, yet 60% say their biggest concern is over-reliance on technology versus human judgment. Nearly 40% of employees say they lack the skills to use AI tools effectively.

Ongoing budget constraints. Financial pressures remain evident, with approximately one-third of respondents indicating that current training budgets fall short of requirements, a sentiment shared consistently across both business leaders and employees.

Mental health climbs the agenda. Mental health and psychosocial risk management have emerged as critical focus areas, ranking alongside AI as top priorities for skills development over the next 3-5 years, selected by around a third of respondents in each group.

Leaders and employees see things differently. Business leaders seem more optimistic about AI adoption and are more likely to report active pilot programmes. In contrast, employees are more likely to highlight skills gaps, feel less prepared for AI adoption, and report either full implementation or no consideration of AI at all.

Steve Terry, managing director at Astutis, commented: “What comes through clearly in this year’s data is that the health and safety profession is both optimistic and fearful about the impacts that new technology is going to have on their day-to-day work. They see the potential of AI, they recognise mental health as a growing priority, and they value the training that’s already helped them build confidence and competence. But they’re also telling us they’re concerned about organisations using it as a crutch.

“At Astutis, we’re already investing in new learning solutions that address psychosocial risk and the evolving skills our learners will need over the coming years, and we remain steadfast in our desire to be ahead of changes in the sector.”

The full Voice of Our Learners Report 2026, including detailed insights by sector and cohort, is now available to download.