The latest findings from the Kelly Global Workforce Index have found changing attitudes to career paths and an increased perception that career experience will be more valuable than formal education when securing new roles.

The findings about career choice and career progression are part of the Kelly Global Workforce Index, which obtained the views of about 97,000 people in 30 countries, including 2,200 in the UK.

An overwhelming majority 84% said they believed their career/work experience would have more value than formal education. This trend reinforces the belief that for many recruiters, experience rules over education, although clearly the need for formal education still plays an important role for many industries and sectors.

The workforce clearly recognises the ever-more competitive nature of the jobs market and the importance of keeping pace with change if they want to continue on their chosen career path

An average of 76% of respondents working in the education, scientific and financial services sectors ranked experience over formal education. This compared to the utilities sector, where 94% of respondents ranked their experience as more important than education.

While most respondents recognised their work experience over their formal education, the workforce still recognises the importance of continued professional development.

Some 91% said it was important to upgrade their qualifications and skills when thinking of career progression.

The workforce clearly recognises the ever-more competitive nature of the jobs market and the importance of keeping pace with change if they want to continue on their intended career path.

While the workplace and markets are constantly changing, the days of a job for life seem to be behind us. We have already seen the trends of a highly mobile workforce willing to move to secure the best opportunities.

The survey also finds that workers are now considering a change of industry in order to achieve their career goals. Some 54% stated they would anticipate changing their career/field in the next five years, with 21% of those saying such a change would be due to an industry decline.

As the workforce recognises these changing trends, they are becoming more comfortable with shifting careers and employers to suit their needs.

The impact on recruiters will be a more mobile and career-flexible pool of talent looking to transfer their skills to other industries. There will be challenges for employers in retaining and developing their key talent, and as the trend increases businesses will need to look to new ways of engaging their employees.

The answer could come through continuous professional development the survey shows workers value training and see it as a critical part of their development.

By offering training programmes and supporting external career development businesses will increase their retention.

The world of work is changing rapidly keeping pace with these changes will put potential recruiters and employers on the front foot. Recognising what engages the workforce and what’s important to them can go a long way to achieving that elusive “Employer of Choice” status.