randstad workmonitor q4 2018: 74% of workers see technology impact as an opportunity.

• 58% think that digitalization requires a different skill set than what they currently possess.
• 47% feel pressured to develop their skills to keep up with digital developments.

Digitalization is often seen as a threat to the labor market. However, 74% of the global respondents of the latest Randstad Workmonitor see the impact of technology on their job as an opportunity. 58% of workers think that they will need a different skillset to work in this field and 80% want to acquire more digital skills to guarantee their future employability. Globally, 47% of the respondents feel pressured to develop their digital skills whereas in Italy and China 80% do so. 

Looking to the future, globally 68% think that schools, colleges and universities provide students with the right kind of digital skills to prepare them for the future workforce. Interestingly, this is highest in China (85%) and lowest in one of its neighboring countries Japan (43%). When asked if people expect that automation, robotics and artificial intelligence will positively affect their job in the next 5-10 years, 59% of the global respondents agree, whereas 88% in China and 39% in Austria do so.

investing in digital skills.

People are willing to obtain digital skills and learn about artificial intelligence and 76% agree that their employer should provide them with relevant training. However, only 44% say that their employer is investing in training their workforce in this field. Globally, 59% are to a certain extent investing in themselves as their company does not provide training. In India, this investment is highest (85%) and in Japan lowest (36%). Apart from training their workforce, employers are also investing in technological developments within the field of artificial intelligence. Globally, 49% is doing so, while this is again highest in India (86%) and lowest in Japan (24%).

quarterly recurring observations

mobility index shows upward trend

The number of employees worldwide that expect to work for a different employer in the coming six months shows an upward trend in the last three quarters causing the Mobility Index to be stable at 111. Mobility increased most in Austria (+9), Brazil (+8), Hong Kong (+6) and Singapore (+5). Mobility decreased most in Switzerland (-7), Poland (-6), Czech Republic, Hungary, Romania and Spain (all -4). There’s no shift in mobility in Norway, Sweden, the UK and China.

actual job change again highest in India and Malaysia

The actual job change has increased since the last three quarters and is slightly up to 24% and like previous quarters highest in India (46%) and Malaysia (43%). The actual job change increased in Belgium, Germany, Hong Kong, Italy, Mexico, New Zealand, Portugal, Spain and the UK compared to last quarter. Actual job change decreased in Denmark, Greece, Singapore, Sweden, Switzerland and Turkey. Like the previous quarters, the actual job change is still lowest in Luxembourg (10%).

appetite to change jobs still highest in India

Job change appetite – the desire to change jobs – increased in Denmark, Singapore, Spain, Sweden and the UK compared to last quarter. In Canada, China, Greece, India, Malaysia and US the job change appetite decreased. The appetite to change jobs is still highest in India (44%) and lowest in Czech Republic (5%).

job satisfaction still highest in Mexico

Compared to the previous quarter, job satisfaction increased in Australia, Canada, Germany, Hungary, New Zealand and Turkey, but decreased in China, Norway and US compared to last quarter. Like last quarters, job satisfaction is highest in Mexico (84%) and lowest in Japan (46%).

Country data are available in the Global Report:

the randstad workmonitor

The Randstad Workmonitor was launched in the Netherlands in 2003, then in Germany, and now covers 34 countries around the world. The study encompasses Europe, Asia Pacific and the Americas. The Randstad Workmonitor is published four times a year, making both local and global trends in mobility visible over time.

The Workmonitor’s Mobility Index, which tracks employee confidence and captures the likelihood of an employee changing jobs within the next 6 months, provides a comprehensive understanding of sentiments and trends in the job market. Besides mobility, the survey addresses employee satisfaction and personal motivation as well as a rotating set of themed questions.

The study is conducted online among employees aged 18-65, working a minimum of 24 hours a week in a paid job (not self-employed). The minimum sample size is 400 interviews per country. The Survey Sampling International (SSI) panel is used for sampling purposes. The fourth survey of 2018 was conducted from 23 October until 8 November 2018.