The majority, or 86%, of professionals worldwide believe they will need to upskill in order to succeed in their careers in 2022, according to a poll by Hays.

The poll of 21,600 professionals across the world showed that 14% said they didn’t think they would need to upskill in order to succeed in their careers.

According to Hays, the job market for professionals was competitive in 2021 and it is expected to remain so in 2022. Skills shortages are an acute issue across the globe, meaning in-demand skills are in short supply across most sectors. Professionals can increase their attractiveness by increasing their skill set through upskilling or retraining, widening their own options and increasing their employability, Hays added.

Sue Wei, Managing Director of Hays Hong Kong SAR, said, “The results of our poll show that workers understand that in order to remain relevant within the world of work, or to be able to progress beyond the current level of their role, they need to make sure they have the necessary skills, and that they are prepared to acquire more for continued development.”

“The world of work is constantly evolving, often as a result of technological advancements, which means there is a frequent need for new skills,” Wei added. “There is a big opportunity for workers to increase their attractiveness among potential employers and further their careers. Professionals who have been working during the pandemic will have already learnt transferable skills, as they have had to learn how to use new technology or adapt to new ways of working, but there are always new skills to be learnt.”

Hays also asked over 48,600 people in a separate poll whether they intended to look for a new job in the New Year, with 76% of respondents stating that they did intend to and 24% stating that they did not. 

“The beginning of a New Year provides people with the perfect opportunity to evaluate what is important to them and what they want from their job, so we anticipate people reflecting on their current role and what they may want from their career and seeking new opportunities. The jobs market at present is a good one to be looking in if you have the necessary skills that are sought after by employers,” Wei said.