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Two-thirds of Saudi workers would pursue different career path – Report

Two-thirds of Saudi workers would pursue different career path – Report
Saudi Arabia witnessed an increase in self-study to 60% in 2020

Riyadh - Mubasher: Approximately 66% of the workers in Saudi Arabia are willing to seek different career paths post-pandemic while retaining and developing new skillsets, a recent study by Boston Consulting Group (BCG) and Bayt.com showed.

Media and information professionals, social care workers, and people involved in purchasing and logistics were most willing to retrain, with the media and financial institutions industries demonstrating the highest willingness overall.

Meanwhile, about 33% of Saudi workers experienced last year a growing threat of their positions becoming automated.

The study showed that “automation concerns are particularly pressing among those in white-collar service, consulting, and administrative positions.” Sales and social care workers meanwhile were among the people least concerned, as they rely on human-centric roles.

As for developing new skillset, around 67% of the respondents said they have dedicated a few weeks minimum to skillset development over the course of 12 months.

Saudi Arabia witnessed an increase in self-study to 60% in 2020 from 50% in 2018, with the global average accounting for 62%. Participation in conferences and seminars declined last year to 31% compared to 45% in 2018, while mobile application usage for training purposes jumped from 16% to 41% during the same timeframe.

“The apparent uptake is self-study is a clear indication of people’s determination to take extra steps and secure new positions for years to come. The pandemic’s impact on livelihoods from a professional perspective cannot be overlooked, and a considerable amount of people have suffered over the past year,” Managing Director and Partner at BCG Middle East, Christopher Daniel, said.

Workers with a lower level of education were particularly impacted by the spread of COVID-19, yet individuals who previously acquired bachelor’s degrees and above have fared better, while workers at the age between 41 and 50 were most affected.

Recent official data showed that the unemployment rate in Saudi Arabia fell to 12.6% in the fourth quarter (Q4) of 2020, compared to 14.9% in the previous quarter.