Irish employees are eager for career change and development

A recent survey has revealed that 14 per cent of employees would like to enrol in a course to improve their skills. ‘Workers realise the importance of improving on the skills that they have already acquired in their job and getting a recognised qualification in order to further their careers,’ said Valerie Sorohan, Marketing Manager of Irishjobs.ie, who organised the study.

Apart from an ambition to upskill however, the study also discovered that a surprising 50 per cent of workers in Ireland are resolved to change job in 2008, and that half of these have already applied for a new job. 22 per cent of respondents want to change career entirely this year.

\'Job seekers are becoming more flexible about their future and are no longer dedicated to the idea of a career for life. Employers are also increasingly recognising the benefits of employees with broad experience, which can bring a positive contribution to the company,’ added Sorohan.

Global report reveals huge changes in the accountancy profession

A worldwide survey by accountancy giants ACCA (Association of Chartered Certified Accountants) has revealed that the role of accountant is of growing importance to overall business performance. Entitled A changing profession? The evolution of accounting roles, skills and career aspirations, the report compiled the views of over 2,500 ACCA qualified accountants in 50 countries around the world.

The findings showed that 82 per cent of respondents believed the role of finance professional was becoming more strategic and 72 per cent agreed that their own role was becoming more technically demanding.

A skills gap is emerging whereby organisations are finding it increasingly difficult to source accountants with sufficient soft business skills such as personal effectiveness and communication, and there is an overall shortage in the supply of skilled accountants. 84 per cent of respondents agreed that there would be a large increase in the demand for professionals in the future, particularly from emerging economies.

Jamie Lyon, Senior Manager at ACCA and author of the report said: ‘From an individual’s perspective, this is a good time to be a qualified accountant. The career aspirations of finance professionals are growing, but as roles and skills are evolving in response to a changing business environment and increased regulation, it would appear organisations are struggling to find individuals with the skills required.’

Good HR practice leads to healthy profits

Firm evidence has emerged that shows good human resource and management practises can significantly improve employee productivity and add considerably to a company’s bottom line.

Research carried out by the University of Limerick, Dublin City University and Kansas University on 130 medium and large Irish companies found that productivity growth to the extent of 15 per cent, or sales revenue of €44,399, was attributable to the use of high performance work systems (HPWS).

HPWS involves strategic human resource management, partnership, diversity and equality strategies, as well as flexible working arrangements. The report also found that HPWS accounted for a reduction of nearly eight per cent in annual employee turnover.

According to Lucy Fallon Byrne, Director of the NCPP (National Centre for Partnership and Performance), the commissioner of the report, there is ‘a compelling business case for greater use of partnership and strategic human resource practises across Ireland’s workplaces. It [the report] shows the significant competitive advantage companies can accrue by adopting more effective approaches to managing partnership and innovation.’