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.”
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