Almost four in five UK employees have considered leaving their roles due to a lack of opportunity, despite most saying they would prefer to stay and grow within their current organisation, new research suggests.
The study, conducted by talent management platform Beamery, reveals a disconnect between employees’ skills and how employers recognise and utilise them. The findings suggest that failing to deploy existing talent effectively is not only driving staff dissatisfaction but also contributing to a broader skills crisis that could hold back UK businesses.
Skills Going Unrecognised
The research, which surveyed more than 1,000 corporate professionals across different industries, found that over half of workers feel their skills are not fully recognised. While 42.2% said their abilities are only partially understood by employers, 5.8% feel entirely overlooked.
More than 70% of employees believe they are qualified to take on greater responsibility, while 55% feel they could contribute more in their current roles if given the opportunity. But many reported facing significant barriers, including a lack of internal advancement opportunities (45%), rigid role structures (29%), restrictive policies (25%) and insufficient managerial support (20%).
The consequences of these challenges appear to be driving employees to look elsewhere. The study found that 79% of workers have contemplated leaving their roles, despite 88% saying they would prefer to stay and progress within their organisation if opportunities were available.
Internal Mobility Could Address Retention Challenges
The study suggests that businesses struggling with skills shortages should look more closely at their existing workforce. It found that nearly nine in ten employees (88%) would be open to moving roles within their company if it meant their skills would be better recognised and utilised.
Employers that fail to create these opportunities risk losing key staff, the research indicates. According to Beamery, companies that redeploy talent effectively and align skills with evolving business needs will be better positioned to retain employees and build a more adaptable workforce.
“Our research shows that many workers feel their skills are underutilised or misunderstood,” CEO Abakar Saidov said. “This raises questions around how organisations identify, align and utilise existing talent, in order to close gaps, reduce risk and build a more resilient workforce. Enterprises that can address these disconnects early, redeploy talent effectively and create opportunities for growth will be best positioned to thrive.”
Saidov added that it was “more important than ever to unlock hidden potential, keep employees engaged and stay agile as skills requirements change.”
Using AI to Improve Skills Insights
The research also suggests that AI could play a key role in helping businesses better understand and utilise their workforce’s skills. AI-driven talent management tools can provide a clearer view of organisational strengths and gaps, allowing companies to redeploy staff into new roles that match their skills or direct them towards reskilling opportunities.
Employers that embrace smarter, skills-based strategies could transform existing challenges into opportunities, Saidov said.
““Skills are a critical currency, especially in today’s fast-evolving, hyper-competitive economic environment. Removing barriers to skill utilisation and investing in employee development are essential. By adopting smarter, skills-based strategies, organisations can transform current challenges into opportunities, reignite productivity and clear a path to achieving their business goals.”
With UK businesses facing ongoing economic uncertainty, the findings suggest that organisations that fail to prioritise internal mobility and employee development could struggle with both retention and long-term growth.