What Pluralsight data reveals about tech skills in nonprofits and K – 12 schools

Today, we're pulling back the curtain on the tech skills gap in the social sector—and the data might surprise you. 

By analyzing the top courses taken by our Pluralsight One customers (nonprofits and K – 12 schools), we've uncovered some interesting patterns that highlight the social sector's unique challenges and opportunities.

Pluralsight One supports over 800 nonprofits and K – 12 school systems by making our tech skill learning platform more accessible through specialized pricing and support. Learn more about Pluralsight One and how we partner with these communities.

Let's dive into the data. These are the top 10 courses Pluralsight One customers took in 2024:

1. What Is Programming?
2. Google Docs
3. Google Sheets
4. Google Meet
5. Microsoft Edge
6. Workings of the World Wide Web and Internet: Executive Briefing
7. Introduction to the CompTIA A+ (220-1101 and 220-1102) Certification
8. IT Professional Fundamentals: Operating Systems
9. Working Remotely with Others
10. Data Science: The Big Picture

Now, compare this to the top 10 courses our customers from other sectors took:

1. AI & Generative AI: Executive Briefing
2. GitHub Copilot Fundamentals: AI Paired Programming
3. Getting Started on Prompt Engineering with Generative AI
4. ChatGPT and Generative AI: The Big Picture
5. Data: Executive Briefing
6. Python 3 Fundamentals
7. Generative AI Foundations: Prompt Engineering
8. Artificial Intelligence Essentials: Responsible AI
9. Introduction to Microsoft Copilot
10. Generative AI Foundations: Getting Started

The contrast between these lists is striking. Let’s unpack two key insights from this data.

One glaring difference between our social sector and commercial customers is their focus (or lack thereof) on AI skill development. 

At first glance, the data might suggest that the social sector is disconnected from AI advancements. However, the reality is more nuanced. According to research by Stanford's Institute for Human-Centered Artificial Intelligence and Project Evident, 66% of nonprofits and education sector organizations use some type of AI. 

Other reports indicate that most school districts provide AI training for teachers (though far fewer have established concrete AI policies or guidelines). 

What’s painting this mottled picture of AI in the social sector? One hypothesis is that individuals in the social sector may be using AI tools at relatively high rates, but organizations might not be. As nonprofits and K – 12 school systems adopt AI at an organizational-level, they’ll need dedicated AI upskilling to match.

Many people are surprised to learn that nonprofits are the second most attacked sector by nation-state-level digital aggressors. (Governments are the first.) Similarly, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) reports that cyber incidents among K – 12 schools in the US more than tripled between 2018 and 2021. 

The primary reason for these attacks? The social sector is target rich but cybersecurity poor, holding valuable data without adequate protection. On average, these organizations are not as technologically advanced as commercial enterprises, and the foundational nature of the social sector’s most viewed courses corroborates this assumption. This continues to make nonprofits and K – 12 schools appealing targets for bad actors.

Learn how to close the cybersecurity skills gap.

It's important to note that the technology gaps suggested by this data don't reflect a lack of ambition or potential in the social sector. Instead, they underscore the need for targeted support and resources to help these organizations—and all communities—realize the benefits of technology.

Whether you're beginning your tech skills journey, exploring the frontiers of AI, or building specialized cybersecurity skills, Pluralsight’s hands-on learning platform provides the courses, labs, and assessments you need. And Pluralsight One closes the social sector’s technology skills gap and empowers people from underrepresented communities to join and thrive in the global technology workforce.

Contact Pluralsight One to learn how to assess your organization's current tech capabilities, identify the skills gaps that are most crucial to your mission, and develop a plan for ongoing tech implementation.