TROY, MI--(Marketwire - April 29, 2009) - The effects of a global recession and a rapidly
changing workplace are creating anxiety among individuals who are
apprehensive that their skills might not be adequate to help them find work
and compete in a global market, according to a recent workplace survey.
The survey, by global workforce solutions leader Kelly Services, finds that
more than 80 percent of individuals surveyed are concerned that their
current skill levels will not sustain them for more than five years. Almost
half of the respondents say training currently provided by employers is not
sufficient to enable them to upgrade their skills and advance their
careers.
The findings are part of the
Kelly Global Workforce Index, which obtained
the views of approximately 100,000 people in 34 countries covering North
America, Europe, and Asia Pacific.
Kelly Services Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, George
Corona says the need to advance skills is vital in today's global labor
market. "With new technology and the increased competition for jobs, people
are keenly aware that their current skills must be enhanced," Corona says.
The survey also shows that Gen X workers (aged 30-47) feel most threatened
by the erosion of skills, yet they and the older baby boomers (aged 48-65)
say that they receive less support from their employers than the younger
Gen Y group (aged 18-29).
"The overall results show that skills and training remain vitally
important. Many organizations may be tempted to cut back on training in the
present climate but that could be a grave mistake which would adversely
impact performance once the economy emerges from the recession," Corona
concludes.
For more information on the survey results, visit
www.kellyservices.com
About the Kelly Global Workforce Index
The Kelly Global Workforce Index is a survey revealing opinions about
work and the workplace from a generational viewpoint. Results
of the current findings from across Kelly's global operations in North
America, Europe, and Asia Pacific will be published throughout 2009 in a
series of six releases.
About Kelly Services
Kelly Services, Inc. (
NASDAQ:
KELYA) (
NASDAQ:
KELYB) is a world leader in
workforce management services and human resources,
offering
temporary staffing services, outsourcing, vendor
on-site and full-time placement to clients on a global basis. Kelly
provides
employment to nearly 650,000 employees annually, with skills
including office services, accounting, engineering, information technology,
law, science, marketing, creative services, light industrial, education,
and health care. Revenue in 2008 was $5.5 billion. Visit
www.kellyservices.com.
Contact Information: Media contacts:
Asia Pacific
Jaquilin Ang
Kelly Services
(65) 6494 6066
Jaquilin_ang@kellyservices.com.sg
Europe
Tamara Achba
Kelly Services
+41 (0) 32 7371829
Tamara.achba@kellyservices.eu
North America
Judith Clark
Kelly Services
(248) 244-5362
judith_clark@kellyservices.com