The PwC Irish 2024 Workforce Hopes & Fears Survey, published this week, offers critical insights into the evolving landscape of work in Ireland. With responses from 1,000 workers across four generations, eight industries, and over 11 organisational functions, the survey delves into employees’ concerns and aspirations regarding job selection, upskilling, digitisation, and workplace trends over the coming year.
Financial stress
One of the survey’s key findings is that 61% of workers in Ireland are financially stressed, reflecting the widespread concern about rising living costs and economic uncertainty. This financial strain is a growing issue for many employees, underscoring the need for employers to consider support mechanisms that address these pressures.
Lack of access to adequate upskilling opportunities
In terms of career development, 24% of respondents believe they do not have access to adequate upskilling opportunities. As workplace digitisation accelerates, workers feel an increasing need for ongoing development. Despite the rapid technological evolution, 34% of workers don’t believe there are opportunities to integrate AI into their roles, highlighting a gap between the promise of AI and its practical use in daily operations.
Change
The survey also found that 60% of respondents have experienced more change in the last year than in the previous 12 months, signalling the fast pace of workplace transformation driven by digital innovation, shifting work models, and evolving business needs.
Consistent levels of employee mobility
Interestingly, the likelihood of employees changing employers in the next 12 months remains stable, with 21% of respondents indicating they are likely to seek new opportunities. This figure reflects consistent levels of employee mobility compared to previous surveys, suggesting that while change is rampant, the overall desire to switch jobs has not increased significantly.
As we move forward, it is clear that Irish employers must focus on alleviating financial stress, offering clearer upskilling pathways, and better leveraging AI to support their teams.
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PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) is a multinational professional services network. It is one of the Big Four accounting firms and provides a wide range of services, including audit and assurance, tax consulting, and advisory services.
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