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5 insights on financial services professionals to inform your talent strategy

We recently surveyed financial services professionals to better understand their perceptions of education and career growth. The results will help inform your talent strategy.
Alex Cannon

Alex Cannon

August 23rd, 2022

Infographic on 5 insights on financial services professionals to inform your talent strategy. 1. Employees already understand the importance of lifelong learning. 52% of the financial services professionals indicated they had obtained a bachelor’s degree or higher. 84% of survey respondents agree that a traditional four-year degree is important in their field. 71% of survey respondents indicated that short-form certificates are also important in their industry. 2. Demand for financial services skilling and training programs is high. Employees have a sense of urgency about education and career growth. 65% of those in financial services say they need education or training to keep up with the requirements of their current job. 69% of those in financial services say they need education or training for the job they want next. 3. Employees are primarily motivated to stay in the industry for pay, job security, and pathways- which signals the career outcomes they want. More than 1 in 5 indicate compensation is their primary reason for staying in the field. 88% have a sense of at least some job security. 85% report having clarity about pathways for career advancement. 59% of respondents want to stay with their current employer, though entry-level employees are less likely to indicate a desire to stay. 4. Flexibility and affordability are highly important in education. 42% of the financial services professionals indicated they had obtained a bachelor’s degree or higher. 34.57% indicated “affordability” as important. 50% of financial services professionals cited tuition costs as a primary concern to pursing an upskilling program. 5. Employers prioritize financial planning, accounting, risk, and more when it comes to certifications. Employees are also looking for training in people management, leadership, and technology. Employees are interested in leadership and technical skills. People management or leadership is the most popular choice of subject matter valuable to career. 50% of respondents want to learn a tech skill.
  1. Methodology: Guild sent a survey to 1,323 individuals across industries using an online research panel aggregator in March, 2022, resulting in 819 qualified respondents. Of this sample, we looked at a segment of 236 working adults in the financial industry (n=81) or interested in entering the financial industry (n=180).
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