- Randstad’s research reveals that 52% of workers in the sector prefer benefits like gym access or childcare over salary increases - highlighting a shift toward work-life balance and values-driven careers.
- 50% have already accepted lower pay for more meaningful roles - well above the global average of 40%.
- 78% of talent in the sector feel future-ready to use the latest technologies, such as AI in their roles.
With global demand for talent in the engineering sector projected to increase by over 80% by 2030, employers face mounting pressure to evolve. Randstad’s 2025 Workmonitor report, based on insights from over 26,000 workers across 35 markets, reveals a clear shift in expectations among talent in the sector. For the purposes of this research, engineering sector talent refers to all individuals working within engineering-focused organizations.
workers in the engineering sector prioritize belonging, flexibility and values alignment
Randstad’s research also found that over half of talent in this sector (52%) would rather have additional workplace benefits (such as gym membership, nursery, healthcare, free transport) than a higher salary, compared to a global average of 47%. While flexibility is clearly becoming a key lever for retention and satisfaction, job decisions are increasingly driven by how well a role integrates with life outside of work.
The survey found that over half (58%) say they’d leave a job if they didn’t feel they belonged, and 40% already have because the role didn’t fit their personal life. Moreover, 50% of engineering sector workers said they’ve accepted more meaningful roles with lower pay, well above the global average of 40%. It’s clear that talent in the sector are looking for more than strong pay and stimulating work. They seek roles that align with their values, support their lifestyle, and enable long-term career growth.
Globally, only 29% of workers report an increased ability to work remotely or from different sites, however in the engineering sector, that figure rises to 37%. Work-life balance has become a top priority, with 84% ranking it as their most important factor when evaluating new roles. Employers are recognizing this growing demand, with 69% of talent reporting that their jobs provide flexible working hours.
Encouragingly, workers in the sector feel positive about their current workplace environments. 85% feel valued, whilst 84% feel a strong sense of community, and 82% feel comfortable expressing their views, both exceeding the global averages of 79% and 76%, respectively. The data shows employers increasingly recognize that roles must fit into employees’ lives, offering more control over how, when and where they work.
engineering sector talent are future-ready and tech-confident
Workers in this sector are not only confident in their skills, they’re eager to grow. Over three quarters (78%) feel ready to use the latest technologies, including AI, higher than the global average of 71% and outperforming other sectors like healthcare (64%), automotive (66%) and agriculture (67%). They’re also proactive about development: 78% rank training and development as important, and 76% say their employer is actively helping them build future-proof skills.
Randstad’s Pulse survey also found that 65% of engineering sector talent would prefer skilling and training opportunities over the ability to work remotely - highlighting this talent pool’s commitment to long-term growth. This doesn’t diminish the importance of flexibility: in fact, 84% still rank work-life balance as a top priority when evaluating job opportunities. Instead, it reveals that engineering sector talent seek careers that support both their professional ambitions and wellbeing. For employers, this underscores the need to design roles that balance flexibility with ongoing development opportunities.
According to Randstad’s Talent Trends Report 70% of talent leaders have increased their learning budgets over the past year, up from 57% in 2023. This upward trend aligns with engineering workers’ growing appetite for career progression.
Sander van ‘t Noordende, Randstad CEO, commented:
"Talent in the engineering sector are no longer making career decisions based solely on salary or job content. They’re seeking roles that fit their lives, reflect their values, and foster a sense of belonging. Flexibility and purpose are baseline expectations. At the same time, this is a highly future-focused workforce, eager to adopt new technologies and build lasting skills. Employers who invest in both personal alignment and professional growth will lead: not just in retention, but in innovation.”
about randstad
Randstad is a global talent leader with the vision to be the world’s most equitable and specialized talent company. As a partner for talent and through our four specializations - Operational, Professional, Digital and Enterprise - we provide clients with the high-quality, diverse and agile workforces that they need to succeed in a talent scarce world. We help people secure meaningful roles, develop relevant skills and find purpose and belonging in their workplace. Through the value we create, we are committed to a better and more sustainable future for all.
Headquartered in the Netherlands, Randstad operates in 39 markets and has approximately 40,000 employees. In 2024, we supported over 1.7 million talent to find work and generated a revenue of € 24.1 billion. Randstad N.V. is listed on the Euronext Amsterdam.
For more information, see www.randstad.com.
about Workmonitor
The Randstad Workmonitor, now in its 22nd year, explores the views of working people in 35 markets across Europe, Asia-Pacific and the Americas. It aims to provide an inside look at their attitudes, ambitions and expectations as the world of work continues to transform.
It is conducted online among respondents aged 18–67 who are either employed for at least 24 hours per week, sole traders, or unemployed but considering looking for a job in the future. The minimum sample size is 500 interviews per market. Evalueserve is used for sampling purposes.
The survey was conducted between October 7 and November 6, 2024 among over 26,000 workers in Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Chile, China, Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong SAR, Hungary, India, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Mexico, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Türkiye, the United Kingdom, the United States and Uruguay.
about workmonitor pulse
The Randstad Workmonitor Pulse survey, May 2025 edition, explores the views of working people in Europe, Asia-Pacific and North America. Data was collected from 5,250 respondents in 7 markets (Australia, Germany, Italy, Japan, Poland, UK, and United States) between 28 March and 9 April 2025. For this research, Randstad partnered with Evalueserve, a global research and analysis firm.