Most employees around the world see the impact of technology and digitalization on their job as an opportunity, according to Randstad’s fourth-quarter Workmonitor survey, released today.

The research found that while 74% see the impact of technology on their job as an opportunity, 58% of workers think that they will need a different skill set and 80% want to acquire more digital skills to guarantee their future employability. Worldwide, 47% of the respondents feel pressured to develop their digital skills whereas in Italy and China, 80% do so. 

The survey also found that globally, 68% believe schools, colleges and universities provide students with the right kind of digital skills to prepare them for the future workforce. This is highest in China, at 85%, and lowest in Japan, at 43%. When asked if people expect that automation, robotics and artificial intelligence will positively affect their job in the next five to 10 years, 59% of the global respondents agree, including 88% in China but only 39% in Austria.

Randstad also found that people are willing to obtain digital skills and learn about artificial intelligence and 76% agree that their employer should provide them with relevant training. However, only 44% said their employer is investing in training their workforce in this field.

Globally, 59% said they invest in themselves to a certain extent as their company does not provide training. This investment is highest in India, at 85%, and lowest in Japan, at 36%. Apart from training their workforce, employers are also investing in technological developments within the field of artificial intelligence. Globally, 49% are doing so, while this is, again, highest in India, at 86%, and lowest in Japan, at 24%.

The survey also found other information:

Mobility index shows upward trend: The number of employees worldwide that expect to work for a different employer in the coming six months shows an upward trend in the last three quarters, causing the Mobility Index to be stable at 111. Mobility increased most in Austria, up nine points; Brazil, up eight; Hong Kong, up six; and Singapore, up five points.

Actual job change again highest in India and Malaysia: The actual job change has increased since the last three quarters and is slightly up to 24% and, like previous quarters, highest in Indi and Malaysia, at 46% and 43%, respectively.

Appetite to change jobs still highest in India: Job change appetite — the desire to change jobs — increased in Denmark, Singapore, Spain, Sweden and the UK compared to last quarter. In Canada, China, Greece, India, Malaysia and US, the job change appetite decreased.

Job satisfaction still highest in Mexico: Compared to the previous quarter, job satisfaction increased in Australia, Canada, Germany, Hungary, New Zealand and Turkey, but decreased in China, Norway and the US compared to last quarter.

The Randstad Workmonitor covers 34 countries around the world. The fourth-quarter study was conducted online from Oct. 23 to Nov. 8, 2018. The minimum sample size is 400 interviews per country.