TORONTO — (Marketwire) — 08/03/11 — The career-for-life is vanishing, with almost half of all Canadian respondents saying they expect to switch careers within the next five years, according to the latest survey results from global workforce solutions leader, Kelly Services(R).
The main causes are the need for improved work-life balance, and changing personal interests (both cited by 24 percent), followed by the need for higher income (23 percent).
“A surprisingly large number of our workforce may be actively considering changing their careers and making a fresh start,” says Kelly Services Director of Operations, Carolyn Grossi.
“Twenty years ago, the thought of having to change careers might have been viewed as a crisis, but today, the workforce is much more flexible to the shifts in demand for different skills and occupations, and also reflects a change in personal needs and interests on the part of employees.”
One sign of this shifting attitude can be found when looking at career interruption; approximately three-quarters (73 percent) of those surveyed believe they could resume their career at the same level after taking a break for such things as maternity or paternity leave, illness or an extended holiday.
Gen Y (aged 18-29) are the most confident of resuming their career following a break, with 83 percent confident they could do so, compared with 72 percent of Gen X (aged 30-47), and 64 percent of baby boomers (aged 48-65).
Results of the survey in Canada show:
“As individuals take greater control of their careers, there is a likelihood of employees moving in and out of the workforce for both professional and lifestyle reasons. It will be increasingly important that employers and employees learn to adapt to this new workplace reality, where the ‘one career’ pathway may become the exception rather than the rule,” Grossi concludes.