PwC Launches Critical Thinking Program for Staff
The PwC US certificate program aims to build judgment skills among more than 85,000 partners and employees as AI use grows.
Updated on Nov. 10, 2026 in Internships
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PwC US is introducing a Critical Thinking & Judgment Certificate programme for more than 85,000 partners and employees across its US and Mexico offices. Training is scheduled to begin in December 2026.
Why it matters
The initiative is intended to give employees a practical, repeatable way to assess information, question assumptions, and exercise judgment where AI is involved. The firm also plans to offer the framework to universities in early 2027.
The program covers more than 85,000 partners and employees across PwC US and Mexico offices and its Acceleration Centers. The source does not report completion rates or measured outcomes from the training.
The players
PwC US
PwC US is the US member firm of PwC, a global professional services network providing audit, tax, and consulting services.
The details
The programme opens with a diagnostic scenario that identifies participants' thinking preferences, strengths, and development areas. Participants then learn the framework through masterclass-style videos featuring PwC leaders and external thought leaders, followed by personalised simulations linked to their roles.
Timeline
December 2026: Critical thinking training begins across US and Mexico offices.
Early 2027: The framework is offered to universities for academic courses.
June 2027: Participants are expected to complete the certificate programme.
Industry Context
The program extends PwC's Human Skills Project into both employee training and the Student Human Skills Initiative for universities. It positions judgment and critical thinking as a corporate training priority as firms integrate AI into professional work.
Employees in PwC's US and Mexico offices will undergo structured judgment training as part of the certificate program. Students at universities that adopt the framework may encounter similar critical thinking coursework.
The takeaway
Developing judgment alongside AI tools is becoming a deliberate part of professional training. Individuals can practice questioning assumptions and evaluating information before acting on automated outputs.
What happens next
Training is scheduled to begin in December 2026, with the framework offered to universities in early 2027 and participant completion expected by June 2027.
Further reading
Explore more on internships for entry-level professional training programs.
Source note: This article includes information reported by International Accounting Bulletin.
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