CEO Keys - 2026 Predictions

Four Key Predictions for the Future of Healthcare Work and Education

Anticipating the Shifts Driving Tomorrow's Workforce and Learning

At Keypath, we are dedicated to addressing workforce shortages in nursing, social work, counseling, speech pathology, and pharmacy by supporting higher education programs that prepare students for high-demand careers. As we look toward 2026 and beyond, we see significant opportunities to further empower students, faculty, and institutions to meet these critical workforce needs both in the U.S. and around the world.

Education in these five essential fields is on the brink of transformation. Workforce demands, rapid technological advancements, and flexible learning methods are reshaping how students are trained.

1. AI and Technology-Enhanced Learning

Prediction: AI-powered tools and simulations will become standard in healthcare education, providing scalable, hands-on training opportunities.

AI is set to play a central role in education, delivering personalized learning experiences, tracking student progress, and offering tailored feedback for skill development. In healthcare and allied health programs, simulations and virtual environments let students safely practice clinical procedures and patient interactions. For instance, nursing students can use virtual reality to rehearse medication administration and respond to emergencies before entering real clinical settings. With healthcare jobs projected to add about 1.9 million openings per year in the U.S., and even more across APAC, AI and technology-driven learning will expand training capacity and help students build essential skills for safe clinical practice.

Key Takeaway: Expect AI and immersive technology to become integral to preparing more students for hands-on, practice-ready roles in healthcare and allied professions.

2. Workforce-Responsive Programs & Rapid Practice Readiness

Prediction: Education and industry collaboration will intensify, leading to more targeted programs and credentials that enable graduates to quickly transition into the workforce.

Universities are forging closer partnerships with healthcare providers and industry leaders to ensure curricula match real-world job requirements. New programs and micro credentials are being developed to help students become practice-ready faster, narrowing the gap between graduation and workforce entry. For example, social work students can earn micro credentials in trauma-informed care, allowing them to step into community service roles immediately after graduation. With the U.S. expected to face a shortage of about 100,000 healthcare workers by 2028, accelerated and practice-focused programs will be crucial in meeting urgent staffing needs from day one.

Key Takeaway: Curriculum innovation and industry alignment will help students gain the skills and credentials needed to fill critical workforce gaps quickly.

3. Flexible and Hybrid Learning

Prediction: Flexible, online, and hybrid learning models will become the norm, making education more accessible for diverse student populations.

Online and hybrid education are revolutionizing student engagement, allowing learners to balance studies with work and personal commitments while accessing high-quality, interactive instruction. AI-powered tools help personalize learning pathways and track progress. For example, pharmacy students may participate in virtual simulation that mimic patient counseling and medication management, gaining practical experience without needing to relocate. Flexible learning models are essential for addressing healthcare shortages by making education accessible to working adults, career changers, and students in remote regions, especially in APAC, where traditional training may be less feasible.

Key Takeaway: The expansion of flexible and hybrid learning in historically traditional delivery, will open doors for a broader range of students to enter and succeed in healthcare and allied fields.

4. Direct Partnerships with Universities and Healthcare Employers

Prediction: Strategic partnerships between education providers and employers will accelerate workforce readiness and help close persistent staffing gaps.

Keypath will continue to collaborate with universities and healthcare employers to design programs that directly tackle staffing shortages. By aligning educational offerings with employer needs, these partnerships ensure graduates are ready to fill high-demand roles immediately. For example, counseling programs may work with local mental health clinics to provide students with hands-on experience while also helping clinics address staffing shortages. To further strengthen the pipeline of qualified professionals, colleges and health systems are increasingly establishing co-funded channels, sharing resources to create targeted training programs that accelerate workforce entry. Additionally, tuition backed upskilling and reskilling initiatives make it easier for current healthcare workers and career changers to gain new credentials and transition into areas of high demand. With nursing programs facing an annual need to fill 193,100 openings, these collaborative approaches, including employer-supported tuition assistance will be vital for meeting community needs and ensuring a robust supply of practice-ready professionals.

Key Takeaway: Closer ties between academia and industry will streamline the transition from education to employment, benefiting both students and employers.

Looking Ahead

The coming year will see even greater innovation, adaptability, and collaboration across higher education and healthcare, ensuring students are ready to meet workforce demands locally and globally.

As we enter 2026, these trends signal a dynamic era for education - one shaped by AI, workforce-aligned curricula, flexible learning, and employer partnerships. Keypath and our partners are committed to preparing students in nursing, social work, counseling, speech pathology, and pharmacy to meet workforce needs and make meaningful contributions around the world. Keypath will play a pivotal role at the center of these transformations by actively facilitating partnerships between universities and healthcare employers, helping design future-focused programs that directly address industry needs, and promoting the adoption of innovative learning models. By leveraging technology, collaborating with thought leaders, and prioritizing workforce readiness, Keypath will continue to serve as a bridge between education and employment ensuring students, faculty, and institutions have the support and tools necessary to thrive in this evolving landscape.

Here’s to a year of growth, learning, and shared success!

Steve Fireng
Global CEO