HK Workers Finding Upskilling Difficult
- By DWFTrends editors
- April 19, 2022
As the world of employment changes, more Hong Kongers find it difficult to decide which skills to develop. According to a survey by Randstad, 70% of respondents said they are conflicted and challenged by what skills they need to develop to stay competitive.
This suggests that upskilling is becoming increasingly important for workers in Hong Kong, but choosing the right skills to develop can be a challenge. With so many options available, workers may not know where to start or which skills will be most beneficial to their career.
“Companies that don’t invest enough in developing their workforce will not be able to catch up with the digitalization and technological advancements to stay competitive,” said Randstad Hongkong Regional Director Benjamin Elms.
74% of those surveyed think their skills are still relevant since the pandemic started, while 17% said their skills have become more relevant. Only 12% feel they don't need to upskill to keep their jobs.
The bright spot is that respondents are confident in finding new employment, with 92% of Hongkongers saying they are not worried about losing their jobs.
Elms added that employers should actively encourage their employees to enhance their skills to have higher human capital.
Respondents have some clarity about their career goals around the world, but not so much when it comes to skilling goals. 66% of respondents between 18 and 24 years old said they find it difficult to identify which skills to learn, as opposed to 44% of those aged 55 to 67.
Randstad highlights that the pandemic has left many companies and workers struggling to keep up with the pace of change. Randstad quotes HR industry analyst Josh Bersin, who said that learning and development have become integral to a company’s talent acquisition strategy during these talent-scarce times.
Randstad points to an OECD report that despite this being the call, companies are often ill-prepared to provide this vital service to their people, with only 13% of the training that companies provide aligning with strategic needs.
Image credit: iStockphoto/Prostock-Studio