Workers' Training Expectations

While 80 percent of employed U.S. adults consider an employer's professional development and training offerings an important consideration when accepting a new job, just 39 percent say their current employer is helping them improve their current skills or gain new skills to do their job better, according to results from the latest American Staffing Association Workforce Monitor® online survey conducted by The Harris Poll in late October and early November 2021.

Job training programs put employers at a competitive advantage when recruiting job candidates from all generations. Among those employed, 84 percent of Millennials view an employer's professional development and training offerings as important considerations when accepting a new job, along with 79 percent of Baby Boomers and 79 percent of Generation X. Seven in 10 of those in Generation Z (70 percent) share this view.

Meanwhile, many employees said they were not receiving from their employers the skills training needed to maintain or grow their careers. Just 31 percent of Baby Boomers said their employer is helping them improve or expand their skillset, compared with 50 percent of Millennials, and 33 percent of those in Generation X. Of Generation Z employees, who comprise the newest members of the workforce, just 37 percent said their employer was helping them improve or expand their skills to do their job better.

"For employers looking for an edge in 2022, investing in training and development could make the difference in competing in the war for talent," said Richard Wahlquist, president and chief executive officer at the American Staffing Association. "Employees are looking to employers to provide the job training they need to elevate their careers. During the Great Resignation, if an employer is not willing to train and upskill its workforce, those employees may begin to look for an employer that will."

Source: American Staffing Association.

From WCI's HR Answers Now ©2022 CCH Incorporated and its affiliates. All rights reserved.

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