About 83 percent of UAE employees are saying they would rather quit their jobs to find better training opportunities elsewhere, a recent survey by Bayt.com revealed. The study sheds light on how employees feel about the career growth prospects in their company and examined what their priorities are. The study indicated that there is a growing career frustration among many UAE employees, with companies failing to help them achieve their goals and aspirations. "Companies' HR departments are not doing enough to provide ([their staff) with career development opportunities – including promotions, adequate appraisal performance systems, role enhancements, mentoring programs and advanced training seminars – (which) they need to ensure professional growth." In fact, according to YouGov, only about three in 10 employees strongly believe that there is indeed equal opportunity for advancement at their company. Bayt.com's study also found that over one-third (35 percent) of UAE employees have never had a promotion in their current company. "Companies in the Middle East can stand to benefit from creating transparent systems where employees feel confident about their career development," said Elissavet Vraka of YouGov. The study suggested that employers should pay attention to their staff's growth, especially since a lack of career growth "can radically" break "employee engagement." "A lack of career development prospects can radically make or break employee engagement," the company said in a statement. "Career development is of utmost importance to professionals in [the region] - even if it means rebooting their whole lives or taking their careers in a totally different direction." UAE employees (40 percent) said they are prepared to move to another country to earn the much-needed change, while another 57 percent said they are willing to make a radical shift by moving to a different sector just to take their career to another level. "Today, employees in the UAE are understandably eager to craft solid career trajectories and advance their professional development," said Suhail Masri, vice president of sales at Bayt.com. "Unfortunately, however, as evidenced by the survey results, many of [the employees] feel that their company is failing when it comes to equipping them with the well-rounded tools, blended learning approach, and tailored training needed to ensure their career growth and progression," said Masri. Masri said these gaps leave employees "feeling stifled in their jobs – which in turn affects their loyalty, morale and performance." "All in all, the analysis reveals that these gaps and inefficiencies are the reasons why certain employers are struggling to retain top talent," Bayt.com said.
