6 out of 10 workers feel inadequately skilled for the future: survey

Almost half believe that their employers will re-skill and find them another position.

More than half or 59% of Hongkongers felt that the training and re-skilling programmes provided by their employers do not adequately equip them with the skills that they will need in the future, according to Randstad’s latest Workmonitor survey.

Moreover, almost half or 49% of locally-based respondents believe that their employers will re-skill and find them another position within the company if their job becomes redundant due to automation.

Randstad’s managing director in search and selection in Greater China, Natellie Sun notes that when employees feel that they lack relevant skills to ensure their employability, it can impact their confidence levels in pushing boundaries.

“Employers who create learning and development and progression opportunities for their staff are seen as attractive employers. These could include offering job rotation programmes, having a more flexible job description, or giving their employees the opportunity to pilot new projects,” she added.

Sun notes that companies that invest in staff development will have the competitive edge of having a highly agile, flexible and skilled workforce.

On the other hand, 43% of respondents would rather take the risks of starting their own business than re-skilling in a new field despite the increasing expectation on training. In addition, 55% also feel that being an entrepreneur would bring about more opportunities, though this sentiment is less pronounced among those aged 55 and above with 26%.

“If given the option to re-skill and enter a completely different field at a lower starting point or start their own business, most people would choose the latter,” Sun added.

However, she notes that many people are also hesitant about starting their own business despite the low barriers to entry due to a highly saturated market and lower success rate. Entrepreneurship can expose business owners to many different challenges, and how they respond to and emerge from these situations can increase their attractiveness to employers in the future.

Furthermore, the rise of remote working and the increasing popularity of the gig economy have made it possible for more people to explore the benefits of slash careers. Young candidates juggling different jobs are said to be more desirable to employers as they bring about qualities and an outside-in perspective that would be valuable to the organisation.