MEDIA RELEASE
Australian employees chasing the skills to survive in a global
workplace
December 10, 2009 –
A majority of Australian workers feel the experience they gain in a
globally oriented workplace will be important to their careers, according to the latest findings
from an international workplace survey. However, many believe
they are not being
adequately prepared to work with varied nationalities and cultures.
The survey, by global workforce solutions leader Kelly Services, finds that Gen Y (aged 18-
29) is driving the trend toward globalisation
of work. Gen Y
employees also feel more
confident about working in a multinational environment than their Gen X (aged 30-47) and
baby boomer (aged 48-65) colleagues.
In deciding where to work, the opportunity for exposure to international skills or a globalised
workplace is becoming more desirable,
especially for younger workers. Yet few receive
formal support, such as cultural or language training, that would help them develop the
expertise needed in a global setting.
The Kelly Global Workforce Index
obtained the views of more than 90,000 people in 33
countries, including more than 13,000 across Australia.
James Bowmer,
Managing Director
of
Kelly Services said, “As business becomes more
global, workers at every level are recognising career advantage in their
exposure to the
language, culture and protocols that characterise cross-border engagement.
“A hallmark of international business and commerce today is to work collaboratively in global
teams, and this trend is growing.”
Amongst the key findings of the survey in Australia:
81 per cent of Gen Y believe it is important to their career prospects that they become
more globally oriented, followed by Gen X (79 per cent) and baby boomers (72 per
cent).
84 per cent of Gen Y have recently experienced working closely with colleagues from
a different country or culture, followed by Gen X (81 per cent) and baby boomers (79
per cent).
A total of
90
per cent
feel that they possess the skills to work in a more globally
oriented workplace.
In deciding where to work, exposure to a global environment is considered “extremely
important” by 33 per cent
of Gen Y, 29 per cent
of Gen X and 23 per cent
of baby
boomers.
Only 34 per cent of Gen Y receive formal cross-cultural or language training from their
employer, followed by Gen X (30 per cent) and baby boomers (22 per cent).
The desire for more globally oriented work experience reflects the pace of globalisation in
many businesses, as more individuals take on cross-cultural responsibility in their day-to-day
work experience.
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“Rapid economic advancement in developing economies will lead many more skilled
employees to seek international opportunities, and those workers will be very attractive to
employers no matter where
in the world they are located. It could potentially transform
industries where standard practices allow employers to tap into a vast global talent pool, in
such areas as engineering, science, finance and healthcare.
“For employees, many recognise that global expertise is becoming an essential part of their
career armoury, and that exposure to a multinational environment has become a more critical
factor in their deciding where to work,” said Mr. Bowmer.
About the Kelly Global Workforce Index
The Kelly Global Workforce Index is a survey revealing opinions about work and the workplace from
a generational viewpoint. Results of the current findings from across Kelly’s global operations in
North America, Europe, and the Asia Pacific will be published throughout 2009 in a series of six
releases.
About Kelly Services
Kelly Services, Inc. (NASDAQ: KELYA, KELYB) is a world leader in workforce management services
and human resources solutions. Kelly offers a comprehensive array of temporary staffing, permanent
placement, outsourcing, and consulting services. Kelly serves clients around the globe and provides
employment to 650,000 employees annually. Revenue in 2008 was $5.5 billion. Visit
Media contact:
Bob Bowden
Foresight Communications
9241 2811, 0412 753 298
bbowden@bowmac.com.au
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