Considering changing careers?
Now could be the opportune time. An article from Australian Financial Review reveals that almost one in 10 workers changed jobs last year (Mizen, 2022). What’s been dubbed ‘the great reshuffle’ saw 9.5 per cent of workers – approximately 1.3 million people – change careers. Bjorn Jarvis, Australian Bureau of Statistics’ Head of Labour Statistics, notes this is the highest job mobility rate in a decade since the year ending February 2012.
What does the data say?
The unemployment rate decreased to 3.9 per cent, making it the lowest it has been in 48 years (Mizen, 2022). In April this year, National Skills Commission internet job ads data showed about 311,000 positions needing to be filled and 84 per cent of businesses reporting labour shortages (Mizen, 2022). The increasingly tight labour market has led to employees demanding higher salaries or job switching to match their salary expectations. In turn, businesses have increased employees’ pay or faced a shrink in their pool of potential workers.
How many people want to change jobs?
Over 30,000 people across 31 countries participated in Microsoft’s 2021 Work Trend Index. The results found that over two fifths of participants are considering leaving their employer within the next year (Edmond, 2022).
Contributing factors leading to ‘the great reshuffle’
Lockdown has proved to be the catalyst for many reassessing their work or being inspired to change their role. A better work-life balance and a workplace that aligns with one’s own values are being cited as two driving factors, as people’s mentality towards their work has altered to having work that fits into their lives, instead of having lives that squeeze into their work (Edmond, 2022). Having the autonomy to work remotely and working for a company that prioritises continuous learning appeals to workers as many feel their roles stagnated as a result of COVID-19 (Edmond, 2022).
Interested in making the switch and want to study?
Excelsia College offers courses in education, business, creative and performing arts, social work and counselling, and there’s no better time to start studying and exploring new career options. You never know what doors could open!
References
Edmond. C. (2022). Explainer: What is the Great Reshuffle and how is it affecting the jobs market? World Economic Forum.
https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2022/02/great-reshuffle-jobs-market-resignation/
Mizen, R. (2022, May 25). One in five professionals changed jobs last year amid talent dip. Financial Review.
