When I graduated in Economics in the 1980s, I could never have imagined how fast and profoundly the world of work would change. Even when I took my current role at the end of 2014 , in charge of Santander and I put digital transformation at the top of our agenda, I did not foresee the pace or scale of disruption we are now witnessing. The rise of artificial intelligence is reshaping not just how we work, but how we live and learn.

With this change comes immense opportunity: to boost productivity, enhance competitiveness, and create new forms of value. But as with any change, it also creates a serious challenge—are we ready and able to adapt to this new world?

The answer lies in skills, and more specifically, reskilling. According to the World Economic Forum, half the global workforce will need reskilling by 2025. One in four European SMEs face talent shortages. In Latin America, millions of digital roles go unfilled due to a lack of qualified candidates. To address this, the education landscape is shifting. Lifelong learning is no longer optional—it is a basic need for anyone who wants to thrive in this new era.

At Santander, we believe businesses must be part of the solution. To clarify where we can have an impact, and what we need to do, we commissioned Our Tomorrow’s Skills report. It reflects the views of 15,000 people across 15 countries. It is both a listening exercise and a plan of action—a way to understand the challenges people face and to respond with meaningful support.

People are clear about what they want. Companies should invest not only in the skills of their employees, but also in wider society. We agree. For years, we have taken that responsibility seriously. 28 years ago, we began an initiative to support Universities – and over the years we have invested more than 2.4 billion euros in education.

We are now going step further, raising our ambition to reflect the challenges and opportunities of the digital future. We’ve committed to invest €400 million in education, employability, and entrepreneurship between 2023 and 2026. We have created platforms such as Santander Open Academy which, in collaboration with prestigious universities and educational institutions, provide free access to worldclass training and tools for people of all ages and backgrounds.

Santander’s purpose is to help people and businesses prosper. This report reaffirms our commitment to that, by helping people upskill and reskill. It invites critical thinking and open dialogue. And most of all, it reflects our belief that sustainable growth is a win win for all our constituencies , our team , our customers our shareholders and our communities. And that the path to sustainable growth lies in empowering people with the skills they need—not just for the jobs of tomorrow, but for the future we all share.