Workers Say Experience More Important than Education for Advancement

Nearly 80% cite experience while 18% say formal education and 2% remain undecided, according to the latest survey from Kelly Services.  

The survey report, “The Evolving Workforce: Drivers of Career Choice and Career Progression,” says the “career-for-life” style is vanishing, with more than half (57%) of all respondents saying they expect to switch careers within the next five years. The main causes prompting change are the need for higher income, followed by better work-life balance, changing personal interests, concern that their industry is in decline, and current management issues.  

Other survey findings include: 

• Across all regions, respondents from Generation Y are more willing to upgrade their skills/qualifications in order to progress their career (64%), followed by Generation X (60%), and Baby Boomers (55%).  
• Both Generation Y and Generation X expect to change careers within the next five years (58%) compared to half of Baby Boomers having the same expectation.  
• Nearly three-quarters of respondents (74%) believe that if they took time off from their career for reasons such as maternal/paternal leave, illness, etc., that they would be able to return to their careers at the same level.  
• A majority of respondents (72%) say they aspire to an executive position.  

Kelly Services obtained the views of approximately 97,000 people in 30 countries covering the Americas, APAC and EMEA regions.