According to a report carried out at the beginning of the year by nationwide recruitment agency Office Angels, a ‘job for life' may be a less than likely scenario for the general public over the next 25 years.
For years, career progression has often been assumed as the number one working ambition amongst young professionals. However, with more and more school leavers ditching further education altogether and a record number of self-employed individuals in the UK, could Office Angels' study be accurate?
If so, by 2036, the UK could well and truly be embracing the ‘odd jobbers' among us.
Following the study, David Clubb, managing director of Office Angels stated: "experience and loyalty were the core attributes in the ‘jobs for life' era, what's emerging from our research is that flexibility and adaptability are going to be valued increasingly highly over the next few decades, as the idea of a career takes on an entirely new shape."
But is everyone ready for a flexible nation? The problem in defining this most probably stems from the meaning of ‘flexible', meaning there are so many different meanings! UK contract jobs are usually turned to during times of economic downfall to improve headcount and save on expenditure. However, if the term ‘flexible' is referring to individuals who choose to follow sporadic career paths, then employers may need to start changing their expectations.
"That's not to say that having the relevant skills and a sense of dedication to the job won't be important, but companies and employees will have to find a new balance" stated Clubb.
So are you ready for a flexible work force? Or do you think that the ‘job for life' will prevail?
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