US tech workers prefer YouTube over formal courses, survey finds

A growing number of tech workers in the United States are turning to YouTube as their preferred method of learning on the job, favouring short, targeted videos over traditional online courses, a new report from Adobe Acrobat has found.

The survey, which polled 1,000 full-time employees, revealed that 71% of tech workers rely on YouTube as a primary learning resource—making them 35% more likely to use the video platform than structured e-learning platforms.

This trend is part of a broader shift towards just-in-time learning, where immediacy and accessibility often trump formal instruction.

In an industry where new tools and jargon emerge rapidly, short-form instructional content appears better suited to the pace of day-to-day demands.

The report also highlighted the growing pressures professionals face in fast-paced environments.

More than half of respondents admitted staying late to learn skills they pretended to already possess, while nearly half acknowledged feigning understanding during meetings.

“YouTube provides a sense of immediacy and informality that resonates with workers who need answers quickly,” said a spokesperson from Adobe. “It helps bridge skill gaps that can otherwise go unaddressed.”

Non-tech professionals were found to be significantly more likely to struggle with emerging technologies, including cloud-based tools and artificial intelligence applications.

The survey revealed they were 123% more likely to lack proficiency in cloud tools and 156% more likely to fall short in AI competencies.

The trend underscores a growing disconnect between perceived and actual digital fluency in the workplace, suggesting a need for learning tools that are both approachable and effective.

YouTube, for its part, offers tutorials that can be paused, sped up, and revisited—qualities that appeal to workers under pressure.

Despite its informal nature, YouTube’s accessibility has made it a key player in workplace learning.

Whether it's merging PDFs, formatting spreadsheets or deciphering workplace acronyms, the platform offers on-demand support that traditional training often lacks.

While YouTube is unlikely to replace formal education entirely, it appears to be fulfilling a vital role in helping workers adapt in real time—a trend that’s unlikely to slow as digital transformation accelerates.