79% consider leaving jobs due to skills gap – Beamery

A skills crisis is looming in the UK as 79% of employees consider leaving their roles due to a lack of opportunity, according to a recent survey by Beamery.

More than half of workers said their abilities were not being fully recognised, with 42.2% saying they were partially understood, and 5.8% feeling completely misunderstood by employers.

Businesses worldwide are grappling with skills gaps, with a McKinsey Global Institute survey reporting that 83% of companies face such challenges.

The World Economic Forum noted that 63% of employers see the skills gap as a barrier to future-proofing operations, and 59% of workers will need reskilling or upskilling by 2030.

Employees cited a lack of internal advancement opportunities (45%), rigid role structures (29%), restrictive policies (25%), and insufficient managerial support (20%) as barriers to utilising their skills.

Beamery’s research suggested that companies should focus more on existing talent to address skills gaps and retain staff.

Specifically, 88% of respondents were open to moving roles within their organisation for better opportunities. 

Abakar Saidov, chief executive officer of Beamery, said: “Our research shows that many workers feel their skills are underutilised or misunderstood.

“This raises questions around how organisations identify, align, and utilise existing talent – in order to close gaps, reduce risk and build a more resilient workforce.

“It’s more important than ever to unlock hidden potential, keep employees engaged, and stay agile as skills requirements change. Beamery plays a crucial role in enabling that.”

Saidov also highlighted the importance of unlocking hidden potential and keeping employees engaged as skills requirements evolve. 

He said that Beamery plays a crucial role in enabling these changes. 

The use of AI in organisations is increasingly regarded as a tool to enrich skills insights, offering a clearer view of skills across teams and individuals. 

Saidov added: “Skills are a critical currency, especially in today’s fast-evolving, hyper-competitive economic environment.

“Removing barriers to skill utilisation and investing in employee development are essential.

“By adopting smarter, skills-based strategies, organisations can transform current challenges into opportunities, reignite productivity, and clear a path to achieving their business goals.”