Close to 25% of Singapore office workers quit their jobs due to lack of development opportunities: Survey

SINGAPORE: Human resources agency Randstad has revealed that nearly 25% of Singapore office workers have resigned from their job due to a lack of career development opportunities.

The study, which surveyed 750 office workers and job seekers, revealed a disconnect between employers’ expectations for technical skills—particularly in artificial intelligence (AI)—and the support provided to employees for acquiring these skills.

A hefty 75% of respondents told Randstad that training and development opportunities are a key factor when selecting a job. However, only 39% said they received increased training opportunities in the past six months, while 28% felt their employers were not equipping them with relevant and practical skills needed for the future workplace.

One of the most striking insights from the survey is the generational divide in AI training interest. While 60% of baby boomers expressed a willingness to learn AI-related skills, only 38% of Generation Z workers shared the same enthusiasm.

The results suggest that employees are seeking more structured career growth pathways, and companies that fail to invest in upskilling their workforce may risk higher turnover rates. There is clearly a need for organisations to bridge the gap between skill demands and training opportunities to stay competitive in the evolving job market, with professional development figuring highly in employee retention.