# SkillsWave Makes Workforce Upskilling Accessible for Every Business – Episode 2 with Tech Titan John Baker

By Ron Stefanski · Published 2025-06-06 · Updated 2026-05-19 · Education Technology on MarketScale
Canonical: https://www.marketscale.com/industries/education-technology/skillswave-makes-workforce-upskilling-accessible-for-every-business-episode-2-with-tech-titan-john-baker
Creator hub: DisruptED

> Digital learning is undergoing a major shift. As businesses look to retain talent and equip employees for evolving roles, the demand for workforce upskilling is rising fast. A 2023 McKinsey Global Institute survey found that 87% of companies worldwide are either experiencing skill gaps or expect to within five years, posing risks to productivity…

## Key points

- 87% of companies globally are experiencing or expect skill gaps within five years, according to McKinsey.
- SkillsWave is designed to make workforce upskilling accessible and scalable for businesses of all sizes.
- Retaining talent and equipping employees for evolving roles are key drivers behind the surge in demand for digital learning solutions.

Block Field

Digital learning is undergoing a major shift. As businesses look to retain talent and equip employees for evolving roles, the demand for workforce upskilling is rising fast. A[ 2023 McKinsey Global Institute survey](https://www.mckinsey.com/industries/public-sector/how-we-help-clients/how-a-government-agency-is-preparing-workers-to-thrive-in-the-skills-based-economy) found that 87% of companies worldwide are either experiencing skill gaps or expect to within five years, posing risks to productivity and national competitiveness.

What will it take to make learning more personal, relevant, and accessible, especially for mid-sized businesses that lack traditional training infrastructure?

On this episode of [*DisruptED*](https://marketscale.com/shows/disrupted/), host [Ron Stefanski](https://www.linkedin.com/in/ronjstefanski/) once again sits down with [John Baker](https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-baker-55208b83/), founder and CEO of [D2L](https://www.d2l.com/) and founder of [SkillsWave](https://skillswave.com/), a new platform focused on workforce upskilling. Together, they explore what inspired Baker to launch a second venture and how SkillsWave is removing friction from the upskilling journey for businesses and learners alike.

**Key Highlights:**

-  **Bridging Industry and Academia:** SkillsWave connects employers and academic institutions to deliver personalized upskilling that helps workers advance their careers. 
-  **Upskilling Without the Overhead:** Small and mid-size businesses gain access to usage-based learning models without the need for costly internal training platforms. 
-  **AI-Powered Career Matching:** SkillsWave uses AI and curated marketplaces to align employee roles and goals with targeted academic programs and in-demand skills. 

John Baker is the founder, President, and CEO of D2L, a global leader in education technology, and also the founder and Executive Chairman of SkillsWave, focused on advancing workforce skills. With over 25 years of leadership in edtech and innovation, he has played key roles in shaping education and skills policy through advisory and board positions with organizations like the Business Council of Canada, Global Skills Opportunity, and SSHRC. Baker has also contributed to national initiatives such as the Government of Canada’s Industry Strategy Council and served on multiple boards including Canada’s National Ballet School and the University of Waterloo.

Tags: D2L, DisruptED, E-Learning, John Baker, Ron Stefanski, SkillsWave, upskilling, workforce skills gap

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