A new survey on career development plans among young professionals in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, shows that 83 percent of Kuwait employees would leave their current companies for better training opportunities.
The survey findings not only reveal that employees in Kuwait view career development as a vital component of their professional lives, but also underlines their motivation and dedication in pursuit of this goal. The employee responses revealed by the survey are also a wakeup call to employers in the country on the need to enhance career development opportunities in organizations.
The survey, conducted by the Middle East’s premier job site, Bayt.com in partnership with market research agency YouGov, titled ‘Career Development in the MENA 2023’, offers valuable insights into the current state and future expectations of career development in countries in the MENA region.
The survey found that management development skills were deemed the most vital training area for respondents (24%), along with technical/job-related skills (18%) and leadership/coaching skills (17%). Team management skills (37%) and leadership/coaching skills (37%) emerged as the areas where most of the respondents had received company training in the past three years, indicating a renewed emphasis on these skills in the current job market.
“Career development is integral to the success of any organization,” said Ola Haddad, director of Human Resources at Bayt.com. “These findings highlight the increased engagement of employees looking toward formal training initiatives and development plans to hone their skills in an increasingly dynamic and competitive landscape. Across MENA, career development is experiencing a thrilling era, with employees showing unprecedented levels of investment in their growth and progress.”
All the respondents (100%) are keen to have a formal career development plan in place. Kuwait companies should foster a culture that empowers employees to take ownership of their professional development to drive engagement and satisfaction.
Additionally the survey showed that all the respondents (100%) were keen to have a formal career development plan in place, and that 54 percent of the respondents had formally set development plans with their manager. The survey highlights the importance of empowering employees to take initiative in their career development. Almost 6 in 10 respondents (58%) feel encouraged to determine their own career path, indicating a desire for self-directed growth.
Close to 54 percent of employees believe that their organization is dedicated to their professional development. This aligns with the importance placed on career development in Kuwait and reflects positively on companies that prioritize growth opportunities for their workforce.
With 85 percent of respondents believing that their skillset is competitive and up-to-date, organizations must continue to invest in and foster an environment that supports continuous learning and career advancement. Mentoring plays a significant role in professional growth, and 51 percent of current employees in Kuwait report being satisfied with the mentoring received from senior peers. In addition, 55 percent state that their supervisor has taken an interest in their career development. These figures reflect the positive impact of mentorship and supportive leadership in nurturing employee development and creating a conducive environment for continuous improvement.
Within the career development path, 74 percent of respondents believe that there are opportunities to cross-train and learn new skills, whereas 62 percent believe that the training and development opportunities are explicitly linked to the strategic direction of the company.
Research Director at YouGov, Zafar Shah, added: “It is evident from the survey findings that employees in the MENA region are eager to develop their careers, and are keen to work for companies that offer professional development opportunities. As companies seek out highly trained and motivated employees, they would do well to offer comprehensive skill-building programs aimed at meeting their employees’ needs.”