IBM Study: 2021 Voluntary Job Changes and Skills Growth on the Rise, Bringing Employer Challenges for Attracting and Retaining Workers

ARMONK, N.Y., Feb. 25, 2021

The study of more than 14,000 adults globally also showed that many of those who voluntarily made job changes in 2020 may be on the move again in 2021 for many of the same reasons. Findings included:

• One in five employees surveyed voluntarily switched employers in 2020. Of those surveyed who said they switched employers, more than half were generation Z (ages 18-24) (33%) and millennials (ages 25-39) (25%).
• Of the 28% of surveyed employees who plan to switch employers in 2021, the need for a more flexible work schedule or location and increased benefits and support for their well-being were cited as top reasons why.
• 1 in 4 surveyed employees indicated they plan to switch occupations in 2021.

"The COVID-19 pandemic has changed employees' expectations of their employers, and leaders should take a more empathetic and personalized approach to attracting and retaining talent, especially for Gen Z and Millennial candidates and employees who may be more likely to make voluntary employer or occupation changes," said Amy Wright, managing partner, IBM Talent & Transformation. "That can include developing tailored learning plans and career paths for employees, fostering inclusive and flexible cultures and removing bias in hiring with the help of technologies like AI."

Employees want work-life balance and career advancement opportunities
Work-life balance and career advancement opportunities topped the list of attributes surveyed consumers said were important for their employer to provide. More than 40% of consumers surveyed also said the ethics and values of their employer were important to engage them, and 36% of consumers surveyed said they valued continuous learning opportunities.

A perception gap exists between employers and employees on their skills
According to a 2019 IBV study on the global skills gap, 45% of organizations surveyed shared that they can't find the skills they need. However, the IBV study released today showed greater confidence from workers, with 87% of employees surveyed believing they already have the necessary skills to meet their job/employment goals in 2021. Despite this confidence, most employees are still planning to pursue paths to grow their skills for the future.  

• 58% of consumers surveyed said that they plan to take continuing education courses this year, mostly online versus in person.
• 25% percent of consumers surveyed indicated their reskilling or upskilling goals for 2021 included enrollment in a formal degree, certification or badging program.
• Approximately 30% of generation Z and 30% of millennial respondents surveyed said they'll enroll in a formal degree, certification or badging program, which were the largest percentages compared to other generation groups surveyed.
• More than 1 in 4 generation Z respondents surveyed say they'll pursue an apprentice opportunity, which was the largest percentage compared to other generation groups surveyed.

IBM expands SkillsBuild, a free online learning platform
To help individuals build skills for the future, IBM has expanded SkillsBuild to the United States. SkillsBuild is a no-charge and open online learning program that is designed to empower job seekers and others with professional workplace readiness and technical skills. Its key differentiators include a wide portfolio of interactive courses in languages that include English, French, German, Japanese and Spanish, and the ability for job seekers to tap personal coaching tools, complete portfolio-building projects, and earn credentials to showcase their skills to potential employers.