The commercial real estate industry is at a turning point. As technology advances and the market changes quickly, professionals must stay relevant in an AI-focused world while also building the experience that has always been key to success.

Deloitte’s 2025 Global Human Capital Trends survey found that two-thirds of managers and executives say most new hires are not fully prepared for their jobs, mainly because they lack experience. This shows the industry is shifting: the biggest gap is not just skills, but experience.

Research from the World Economic Forum shows that 61% of employers have raised experience requirements in the last three years. Now, most entry-level jobs need two to five years of experience. This trend, known as the “experience gap,” makes it harder for new talent to enter commercial real estate.

Jeff Klotz, CEO of The Klotz Group of Companies, noted that as 2025 started, the industry faced employee burnout, a shortage of talent, and a generation gap between leaders and new managers. He said that companies who build, train, and keep their talent will lead the recovery, and that human capital will be the key advantage in 2026.

Artificial intelligence use in commercial real estate has grown quickly. JLL data shows that the number of CRE teams planning AI pilots jumped from less than 5% in 2023 to 92% in 2025. Still, most companies are just experimenting, and 54% say old systems are the main barrier to using AI.

This fast pace of technology change means companies need to focus on lasting strength. JLL’s research says technology is advancing faster than people can keep up, causing stress, burnout, and skill gaps in CRE teams. To succeed, organizations need good strategies and a strong culture that can handle ongoing change.

Lukas Krause, CEO of SVN International, summed up the challenge: In 2026, the key difference will not be who uses AI, but who uses it well. The real advantage comes from skill and how well technology is put to use.

Professional development programs are now key to closing the experience gap. Groups like NAIOP, the Commercial Real Estate Development Association, offer Certificate of Advanced Study programs in Commercial Real Estate Development and Real Estate Finance. These programs help professionals build expertise while keeping their current jobs.

The CCIM Institute has trained commercial real estate professionals for over 56 years. More than 9,000 people now hold the CCIM Designation, and another 4,000 are working toward it. Leander Johnson, vice president at Koa Partners, said that NAIOP’s courses gave him important concepts he used in his career, showing the real value of formal certification.

Mark Hill, Senior Vice President at Premier Development Partners, said that having four mentors over his 40-year career taught him business skills, technical knowledge, and the value of listening. He cited LinkedIn Learning data showing that mentorship is the top focus for employees, which shows a strong need for structured guidance programs.

Sharing knowledge between generations is more important as the industry changes with new technology. Hill noted that newcomers are good at research and organization, turning information into useful reports. They can analyze sites and create profiles for key decision makers, adding skills that support traditional relationship-building.

Many organizations now have formal mentorship programs to help share knowledge. The Real Estate Council (TREC) runs a five-month program that matches professionals aged 35 and under with senior leaders to build skills and speed up career growth. During the program, mentors and mentees create career development plans and strategies.

These programs provide a clear way to share knowledge that might not happen otherwise.

The facilities management sector shows the wider challenge of learning new skills as technology changes. JLL’s research says 84% of FM leaders are most worried about rising costs and tight budgets. Still, companies see the need to invest in people skills, use new technology, and stay flexible.

In facilities management, 28% of organizations now use AI solutions. The top areas for investment are work order management (57%) and asset life cycle insights (54%). These changes bring real returns by automating tracking, predicting maintenance needs, and improving operations, showing that AI has practical uses beyond theory.

Industry leaders suggest several clear ways to support professional development today:

First, professionals should seek out education that matches new technologies and methods. JLL suggests starting pilot projects in areas like work order optimization, energy management, and space analytics, where 61% of organizations are already seeing strong results.

Second, it is important to build both technical and soft skills. Cogent Infotech’s analysis points out that while technical skills matter, soft skills like communication, teamwork, and problem-solving become even more important as technology becomes a bigger part of business.

Third, building a network of mentors gives professionals a range of advice. Instead of having just one mentor, it helps to connect with several people who have different skills and experience at various career stages.

Fourth, joining industry groups and taking part in ongoing education programs helps create clear learning paths. Programs like NAIOP’s webinars, UCLA Extension’s Commercial Real Estate Certificate, and CREFC’s Women’s Network offer focused knowledge and good networking opportunities.

Professional development in commercial real estate mirrors bigger changes in the workforce. Gartner’s research predicts the gap between needed skills and available talent will keep growing. Companies need to invest in ongoing learning and focus on practical skills, not just academic credentials.

The coming changes will need active change management, flexible organization design, and better business-CRE integration. For professionals, this means planning careers carefully, committing to lifelong learning, and building strong relationships.

Professionals who succeed in this changing field will mix strong industry knowledge with tech skills, relationship building with data analysis, and personal expertise with teamwork. Professional development is now a constant need, not just an occasional task, and it will shape success in commercial real estate for years ahead.