One in four Belgians want to switch career, which marks a significant decline in job mobility in the past three years.
The latest Acerta survey shows that 26% of Belgians are considering a switch to a completely different sector than the one in which they are currently active. This trend is most prevalent among under 45s (37%) and senior management officials (46%).
This desire for change stems from a desire for a better work-life balance (73%), better pay (64%), or a desire to make a greater contribution to society (57%).
The same cohort said they wanted to become self-employed (24%), move to the private sector (24%) or to go into education (9%).
Translation: Are you considering changing jobs to another sector (a career change)? Credit: Acerta
Although a quarter of workers looking to change tack is considered a significant proportion, Acerta noted that this figure has declined somewhat in three years: in 2021, four in ten (37%) workers said they wanted to make a radical departure from their line of work at the time.
"Job mobility is weakening, but the decisive motivation to switch to another sector or to freelancing is and remains the work-life balance," the report stated.
Why the decline?
Acerta Director Benoit Caufriez stated that the decline can be attributed to several factors.
"In recent years, companies have devoted much more effort to mental and physical well-being in the workplace, so workers are more satisfied with their current jobs," he explained. Growing acceptance of the "right to disconnect" has served to consolidate this change.
In addition, the Covid-19 pandemic gave workers time to soul-search, which prompted many to reconsider their chosen career paths. This is having "less and less of an impact," said Caufriez.
The Director concluded that companies can improve retention "by focusing on the development of professional skills as part of a sustainable career policy."
