Most Workers Looking for a New Job in 2023

On average, more than 70% of all working people are actively looking for a new job, and 39% of those people are searching for higher salaries.

With a mere 14% of Americans saying they have a great job and would not change it, it’s no surprise that 2023 could be a year of career upheaval for not only workers, but companies as well.

Like many other “New Year’s resolutions,” finding a better job or career ranks high on many Americans’ list. A 2021 survey by Principal Financial Group Inc. found that 25% of workers wanted a job change or retirement by 2023, while a December 2022 survey by GoBankingRates of more than 1,000 Americans found that 50% of respondents said they want to work from home or remotely. Only 18% of respondents said they were able to work from home or remotely currently, resulting in a 32-point increase in those wanting a different work environment.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the number of times the average person changes careers is unclear; however, it does happen often. For those looking for a new pathway in 2023, strategy and thoughtful research are in order.

Most in demand

Rose State College’s Professional Training Center offers training to thousands of adult learners through educational programs for business and government agencies, and RSC is also home to Oklahoma’s first Aerospace and Cybersecurity Center of Workforce Excellence.

Both are seeing an increase in adult students seeking education in a new field.

“We are seeing more demand in IT and cybersecurity training, as the industry has a shortage of individuals certified to fill these positions,” said Whitney Alvis, senior director for the Center of Workforce Excellence for Aerospace and Cybersecurity.

Industry-recognized certifications are an equalizer for industry when hiring, as they show employers that candidates have the base skill set needed to fulfill roles in their organizations, she added. With aerospace being Oklahoma’s second-largest and fastest-growing industry, training for aerospace and aerospace-adjacent careers is also some of the most sought-after. RSC’s newly approved sUAS micro-credential, which required a two-day drone mapping course, additional sUAS study, and obtaining an FAA Part 107 sUAS license, is the first of its kind and fits with Oklahoma being voted No. 1 in the country for drone readiness.

“Our IT and cybersecurity training … are in high demand, and we are beginning software coding programs at all levels,” said Alvis. “Additive manufacturing (3D printing) is also growing quickly, and we are meeting that demand head-on with faculty expertise at Rose State and strong industry partnerships who recognize the real applicability of the technology.”

Not just professionals

Professionals with certification and college degrees aren’t the only demographic seeking better jobs or more opportunity. Veterans, those leaving the criminal justice system and youth also are upping their job search game.

Goodwill Industries of Central Oklahoma’s employment services focuses on youth job preparedness, reentry to the workforce for veterans or those having been involved with the criminal justice system, and more recently, employer training in the area of second-chance employment.

“Within our department, we employ a team of employment specialists and trainers who provide free wrap-around services to any of our clients,” said Lisa Dillon, vice president of Workforce Development Goodwill Industries of Central Oklahoma. ”Our individualized approach typically consists of pre-employment and job placement services to get clients in the best shape possible for the application process.”

For the veteran population, Goodwill has supplementing resources and support with common needs such as housing and access to social services. The organization also helps address issues that could affect their job search and advancement, such as post-traumatic stress disorder, with specialized classes and in-house training opportunities.

“Similarly, our employment specialists are well-trained in aiding our clients with a criminal justice background in identifying and accessing available resources and career pathways that utilize a person’s existing skill set or abilities,” said Dillon. “Additionally, we’re helping local businesses and companies on their path to becoming fair-chance employers by offering corporate training and counseling on the important factors to consider when working with individuals of nontraditional career backgrounds.”

Thanks to a 2021 United Way Wayfinder grant, Goodwill’s new VR forklift training facility was introduced to help clients further their careers in warehousing and logistics. Since the launch of the program in 2022, Goodwill Industries has trained 56 individuals via its on-site virtual training lab. Successful placements have been made with local employers, such as Hobby Lobby, Kimray and Locke Supply.

“We’re continuing to have strong needs for more digital and computer skill building and plan to respond to this need by increasing our offerings in the digital literacy arena,” Dillon said.

“When it comes to the job market, workforces in certain trade occupations, like plumbing, electrical work and other specialty professions, are aging. Goodwill is trying to combat continuation uncertainty in those job fields by highlighting to our clients the many opportunities available within those career tracks – most of which do not have a higher-education requirement, have high placement rates, great compensation profiles and show a track record of being recession-proof.”

Changing jobs

In the last year, according to national learning organization edEX, 32% of workers ages 25 to 44 are considering a career change, and 29% of people have completely changed fields they work in since college.

This same survey found that many Americans do not work in a field they majored in at college. In fact, only 21% said they currently use their education, with 53% saying they use half or less of the education in their current job.

A 2021 study by PWC Global found that 77% of workers post-pandemic are ready to learn new skills or completely retrain, but younger workers continue to be twice as likely as older people to get opportunities to improve skills.

Both organizations said age and skill level shouldn’t be a deterrent in learning a new career.

“We all have new skill sets that we can learn, at any stage of life or careers. None of us are exempt from that concept,” said Alvis.

https://journalrecord.com/2023/01/03/most-workers-looking-for-a-new-job-in-2023/