Career Advancement, The Main Attraction for Employees in the Middle East
WorldTalk
Career advancement opportunities rank as the top reason why employees join or leave organisations, according to new research from Towers Watson.
UAE employers risk losing their best employees to competitors by failing to provide adequate growth opportunities.
The 2014 Talent Management and Rewards and Global Workforce Studies have shown that companies continue to face challenges attracting and retaining talent, with 60% of employers experiencing difficulties with retaining highly qualified people.
The survey indicates a significant gap between pre-employment expectations and the actual work experience for many people.
Survey key points:
In the Middle East, 75% of employers indicate that hiring activity has increased compared to last year, while at the same time, 69% of employers are facing problems hiring critical talent.
51% of the respondents in the Middle East agreed on the fact that career advancement opportunities have improved over the past 12 months
41% of employees say that in order for them to advance their careers, they must join another firm
40% of employees identified as high potentials would leave their employers in order to advance their career.
14% of the Middle Eastern employees agree that managers are effective at providing career management support
Executive commentary:
“Our research indicates that the perceived lack of career advancement opportunities could relate to poor internal communication about career-management programmes. If any communication is done, it normally focuses on the processes and not the motivational and emotional content of why and how an employee can connect with an organisation.
Career management is one of the golden opportunities to strengthen an employee’s long-term commitment to a company.
Understanding the key Attraction and Retention Drivers is crucial for employers when deciding which aspects to focus on in the current labor market, in order to attract and retain key talent.
Furthermore, employers must strengthen their career management and development processes and focus specifically on creating career advancement opportunities for their critical employee segments. Employers must focus their current and future talent programs and align them to the key drivers of Attraction, Retention and Sustainable Engagement,” Elie Georgiou-Botaris, Middle East Practice Leader, Talent Management & Organisational Alignment
12 | TRAINING MAGAZINE EUROPE APRIL 2015