For Randstad’s 2024 Workmonitor report, the Dutch human resource consulting firm recently surveyed 27,000 workers from 34 countries regarding career growth, according to Fast Company.
About half of workers said they identify as ambitious, and roughly the same number say they do not. However, career ambitions aside, 72% of workers said they value learning new skills. Workers in the construction, information technology and financial services industries were most likely to say they would not accept a job if it did not offer learning and development opportunities.
When respondents were asked to list their top three most-desired skills, the five skills workers worldwide said they would most like to learn were artificial intelligence; IT and tech literacy; well-being and mindfulness; communication and presentation skills; and management and leadership skills.
However, the most important skills for workers varied slightly depending on the country. In the U.S., workers said management and leadership skills are the most important, followed by well-being and mindfulness; AI, IT and tech literacy; coaching and mentoring; communication and presentation skills; and programming and coding.
When respondents were asked who is responsible for training and upskilling workers, 23% said workers are responsible and 42% said employers are responsible.
