Core Insights - The report emphasizes that with 40% of today's skills expected to become obsolete within five years, career development is essential for business success [1][3] - Organizations are currently failing to support employees in navigating their career paths, leading to a gap between employee ambition and organizational support [3][4] Key Findings - A significant 40% of employees lack a career plan, and only 4% have a clearly documented path [7] - Only 20% of employees report that their managers assist in mapping out career paths, with just 15% receiving clear guidance from the organization [7] - There is a growing preference among employees for mentoring, internal mobility, and sponsored external courses over traditional training programs [7] - Awareness of available development opportunities is low, with 35% of employees globally unaware of such options [7] - The rapid pace of change driven by AI means that 39% of current skills will be outdated within five years, making effective career navigation critical for businesses [7] Recommendations for Organizations - Organizations should replace rigid career ladders with flexible career pathways to enhance employee growth [8] - Skills should be the foundation of internal mobility to foster a more agile workforce [8] - AI should be viewed as a strategic partner rather than a threat, integrating it into career development strategies [8]

Core Insights - The report titled "The Career Equation: What Attracts Talent Isn't What Keeps Them" reveals a significant disconnect between what organizations believe attracts talent and what actually retains them [2][3] - It emphasizes the importance of cultural fit, career development, and purpose in retaining top talent, rather than just focusing on attraction strategies [3] Key Findings - A survey of 1,029 leaders and 2,402 employees across various regions indicates that 53% of leaders believe their employees are fully engaged, while only 37% of employees report the same [5] - In Latin America, 63% of leaders think their teams are fully engaged, contrasting with only 41% of employees [5] - Engagement levels in Europe and Asia-Pacific are critically low, with only 32% and 33% of employees fully engaged, respectively [5] - Employees prioritize cultural fit and career development as key drivers of engagement, yet only 24% of leaders recognize cultural fit as important, and less than 20% cite career development [5] - While pay and perks may attract talent, long-term retention is driven by intrinsic factors such as purpose, growth, and cultural alignment [5] Industry Implications - The findings suggest that organizations must shift their focus from merely attracting talent to implementing strategies that enhance employee engagement and retention [3] - The report serves as a wake-up call for business leaders to invest in employee skills, careers, and well-being to maintain productivity and profitability [3] - A follow-up report in the State of Careers series is expected to provide further insights and practical strategies for organizations [3]