Many Irish people believe they need to keep changing jobs - to upskill, stay relevant and get new experience, a study has found.
A new Cpl Employment Market Monitor carried out by the recruiter CPL found that nearly half of job hunters expect to spend no more than two years in their next role, with a third anticipating a move within the first year.
“The robots are coming… and not just for the lower-skilled, repetitive, manual roles,” said Peter Cosgrove, director, Cpl Resources plc.
“Now there are programmes designed to fulfil some of the work of highly trained accountants, lawyers and medics.
“Everyone has to be aware that they cannot depend on a job for life, and some respond to this threat by moving jobs to gain new skills and experience.”
Cpl’s research also found that opportunities, rather than salaries, drive the hunt for new jobs.
Half of all respondents (49%) cited the lack of opportunities in an organisation as a reason to look for a new job, while one quarter blamed a bad manager and only 17% blamed salary.
The study also found that the strongest growth for the second time in three quarters was in Accountancy, Finance & Banking, at 25%.
Growth was more modest in Sales & Marketing (4%) and in Science, Engineering & Supply Chain (8%). In IT, there was an annual decline of 2%, the first since early 2015.
The period April to June 2016 saw a stronger growth in jobs of 7% compared to 2% in January to March 2016, the report found. These figures are slower than in previous quarters.
“A decisive approach is needed around the impacts – as yet unknown - of Brexit on Ireland,” said Cosgrove.
“Otherwise, indecision and uncertainty could potentially impact the Irish FDI jobs market for the next two quarters
“However, there will be opportunities for Ireland as the only English-speaking country in the EU. Already English-speaking candidates have stated a reluctance to work in a non-EU country, which makes Ireland an attractive destination for the skilled, highly sought-after candidates which are in demand in Ireland’s fast-growing FDI sector.”
The research indicates also that continuous upskilling and varied experience are uppermost in the minds of job candidates. Of those interviewed, nearly half expect to spend no more than 2 years in their next role, with one third anticipating a move within the first year.
Clearly employees see the skills and experience from each job help them remain relevant and avoid obsolescence. As a result employers will struggle to keep some candidates in roles for as little as one year.