Talent continues to prioritize the future-proofing of their skills, particularly in light of the widespread adoption of AI. Despite more complex attitudes to career progression and ambition, there is a continued thirst for training and development in both current roles and for future career moves. Around a third of the worforce heard by Randstad would even go as far as quitting a job that didn’t offer adequate learning and development (L&D) opportunities.
According to the Randstad Workmonitor 2024, nearly three-quarters of respondents said they value training and development, both in their current role and when considering future opportunities (72%). Regionally, more people in Latin America (87%) expressed this requirement than in other parts of the world. Among different generations, Gen Z and Millennials were most outspoken about the value of training (80% and 79%, respectively).
The increasing adoption of AI has made a particularly strong impact on workers’ perceived need for (re)skilling. Learning to use AI is at the top of the list of skills:
The survey also shows that respondents see the responsibility for training and development residing with both them and their employers, again underlining the connection theme that runs through the entire survey. More than a third of workers (36%) go as far as saying that they would not accept a job if it didn’t offer learning and development opportunities.
Given the impact of digitalization and automation in many industrial settings, the report highlights that it is not surprising that more operational workers (39%) believe learning and development are more vital to their careers than their peers in knowledgebased segments. Among the different sectors surveyed, IT services (47%), construction workers (44%) and those in financial services (42%) were the top three groups most likely to decline a job that lacked L&D support. Around a third (29%) of all those surveyed would even go as far as quitting a job if they weren’t offered skilling opportunities to future-proof their careers.
“The good news is that most organizations appear to be aligned in what they are offering and what workers are looking for,” the paper says. More than two-thirds (69%) are happy with the level of training their employer provides,
and 52% are confident that their employers will help develop their skills for the future. “By creating a true partnership with their talent, employers ensure that both parties have access to the skills and knowledge they need in the years to come,” the authors conclude.
—
Source: Randstad Workmonitor 2024
