Most professionals believe they will need to upskill to succeed in their careers in 2022.
Hays asked just over 21,600 professionals from across the globe if they thought they would need to upskill in 2022 to succeed in their career, 86 per cent of respondents said yes, while only 14 per cent said they didn’t think they would need to.
Sue Wei, Managing Director of Hays Hong Kong SAR, commented, “The results of our poll show that workers understand that in order to remain relevant within the world of work, or to be able to progress beyond the current level of their role, they need to make sure they have the necessary skills, and that they are prepared to acquire more for continued development.”
The job market for professionals was competitive in 2021 and it is expected to remain so in 2022. Skills shortages are an acute issue across the globe, meaning in-demand skills are in short supply across most sectors. Professionals can increase their attractiveness by increasing their skill set through upskilling or retraining – widening their own options and increasing their employability.
Sue, continued, “The world of work is constantly evolving, often because of technological advancements, which means there is a frequent need for new skills. There is a big opportunity for workers to increase their attractiveness among potential employers and further their careers. Professionals who have been working during the pandemic will have already learnt transferable skills, as they have had to learn how to use new technology or adapt to new ways of working, but there are always new skills to be learnt.”
New Year, New Job
In a separate poll, Hays also asked over 48,600 people whether they intended to look for a new job in the New Year, with 76 per cent of respondents stating that they did intend to and 24 per cent stating that they did not.
Sue said, “The beginning of a New Year provides people with the perfect opportunity to evaluate what is important to them and what they want from their job, so we anticipate people reflecting on their current role and what they may want from their career and seeking new opportunities. The jobs market at present is a good one to be looking in if you have the necessary skills that are sought after by employers.”
In a recent blog, Hays CEO Alistair Cox, spoke about people’s motivation to leave their current places of work, “Many have put their own personal development on pause. Instead, they’ve been busy keeping the businesses they work for afloat. Upskilling for many has been off the radar, a secondary concern that can wait until tomorrow, the next month or even the next year. That mindset is starting to shift, with many reaching for the ‘play’ button again.”
Sue, continued, “There are plenty of free online learning tools that professionals or jobseekers can use to upskill themselves and make sure their skills are relevant and more desirable in the new era of work. Whether that is online learning courses, online networking events, or webinars.”
