The Great Potential: Nearly half of UK employees want to change their career

LHH, a leading integrated talent solutions provider and global business unit of the Adecco Group, today releases the UK findings from its the annual global study: Global Workforce of the Future Report 2024. Now in its fourth year, the Global Workforce of the Future research investigates the changing world of work from the workers’ perspective.

The global employment landscape has changed tremendously in recent years, with its impact being felt by UK workers. Over half (54%) feel like external factors such as company strategy and performance, and the economy, have more control over their career than they do.

Despite this, employees are still proactively planning for the future. Nearly half (49%) want to change their career but don’t know which path to take, with 1 in 5 (20%) spending time weekly considering their career plans.

Retaining top talent is of critical importance for organisations, it helps them to future proof themselves, and lays the platform for stability and growth. It is good news, therefore, that our report found that UK employees are keen to be developed. Over two-thirds (68%) of respondents feel that companies should train, up-skill and/or develop existing employees for different roles across the organisation before hiring external candidates.

The report found that UK employees are also optimistic about up-skilling, with over half (58%) feeling that the prospect of a different or new profession or career inspires them to learn skills outside of their day job. Nearly half (47%) want to move into management but feel that the lack of leadership development holds them back.

JC Townend, CEO, LHH said: “Companies are finding it more and more important to invest in their employees. Their best employees will often be among their most ambitious, and ensuring they have development and support for their advancing career goals will be important to retaining them in the company.  In addition, the rapid change in jobs with new technology, regulations, and expanded responsibilities for workers means existing employees need to be re-skilled to continue to do their jobs well. In order to enable UK workers to thrive, we need to ensure that they have opportunities to progress and develop their careers, throughout their careers.”

Among HR leaders, leadership development is also a big priority. LHH’s ICEO 2024 research found that HR senior leaders in the UK are investing in leaders with 69% stating their organisation has a formal executive development programme in place. There are still barriers however, with 1 in 5 (20%) seeing underrepresentation of women and other diverse groups in the executive ranks as a challenge within their organisation’s senior executive ranks. That said, 36% feel like they have the necessary support to overcome the current challenges of leadership.