AI skills boost careers, training opportunities lag — survey
NOORD-HOLLAND, THE NETHERLANDS — A new Randstad study reveals that most people believe AI skills will improve their career prospects and chances for promotion, far outstripping fears of using the technology. However, training opportunities lag behind.
According to the Workmonitor Pulse survey of over 7,000 workers globally, 52% believe AI skills will enhance their career. However, only 13% have been offered AI training in the past year, despite 33% already using the technology at work.
The research by the world’s largest staffing firm uncovered surprising differences between countries. In India, 56% of employees use AI daily, compared to 32% in Australia. In the U.S., 29% adopt AI, while 24% do so in Germany and the UK. However, just 13% of respondents worldwide received AI training in the past 12 months, while 22% want it in the next year.
Younger employees especially value learning over other job perks. Gen Z ranks training (23%) above flexibility (18%) and culture (16%). In India, learning and development (32%) now exceeds pay (20%) and flexibility (23%). Yet 41% of Gen Z would quit without training opportunities, versus just 18% of Baby Boomers.
“It is clear that more employers are seeking talent with AI skills – our own analysis of job ads shows a 2,000% uptick since Q1,” said Randstad CEO Sander van‘t Noordende. “But the imbalance between skills demanded by businesses and desired by employees, on the one hand, and the training opportunities provided, on the other, has to be addressed.”
The $24 billion staffing firm recently launched Randstad Digital to meet tech talent demands. It aims to ensure employer readiness for more AI innovation.
