As skills shortages become more prevalent, particularly in IT, fewer than half of New Zealand employees are happy with the training they get at work.

That is according to the latest findings from the Kelly Global Workforce Index, an international survey of 122,000 people, including over 3,500 Kiwis, examining the ways employees preferred to develop their skills and their motivations for doing so.

Kelly Services ANZ MD Karen Colfer says the survey underscores how important it is for New Zealand businesses to continue to invest in training and development for staff, particularly as the recovery gains traction.

“The latest KGWI survey highlights that training and professional development are not only essential in building the productive capacity of local businesses, they also play an important role in the retention of employees,” she says.

“For more than half of all local employees, however, the training available in the workplace is not meeting their needs.

IT training

Employees in the IT sector identified analytical thinking (80%) and technical skills in systems and software (78%) as the critical skills for their success.

IT staff also felt they need to develop skills in cloud platforms and migration (62%), mobile technologies and UI design (47%, and agile development – Scrum certification (42%).

“As the local economy grows, employers are going to find themselves in increasing competition for skilled employees, particularly in areas that are experiencing steady growth – like the IT sector – or critical demand – such as engineers to support the Christchurch rebuild,” Colfer says.

“To find and retain the right staff, while supporting the demands of the business, a strong focus on training is crucial.

Training for a promotion

According to the survey, 62% of New Zealand employees are planning to increase their skills, behind Australia (64%) but ahead of the UK (57%) and the US (47%).

The key motivation for undertaking additional training or up-skilling is the opportunity for a promotion with their current employer (66%).

Yet almost half (49%) say it would give them the chance to enter a new field of work while 46% believe additional training or skills development could give them the opportunity for advancement in another company.

At present, Colfer says 36% of New Zealand employees are currently considering re-training to enter a new field of work.

“With the economy showing steady signs of improvement, training does give employees the skills to seek new roles, or change careers entirely,” she says.

“But when provided as part of a total employment package that focuses on professional development, opportunities for interesting and rewarding work, and a great employment experience, training forms a critical part of an effective retention strategy.

Workplace experience key

According to the KGWI, most New Zealanders like to train on the job, with 79% preferring to develop their skills through practical experience at work.

Continued education is also popular as 55% of employees believed this is the best way to improve their skills, followed by professional certification (28%) and seminars and webinars (24%).

Worryingly however, fewer than half (49%) of Kiwi employees believe that the training provided by their employer allows them to upgrade their skills and progress in their career.

“The survey has highlighted a considerable gap between the preferences of New Zealanders to learn on the job and their experience of workplace training,” Colfer says.

“To get the real benefits of training – both in terms of productivity and staff retention – employers need to focus on how successful the training programmes are in their workplace, and consider providing additional support or bringing in experts to help better engage their staff.

To read the Career Development and Upskilling report, click here

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