With their current level of training, many employees don't see a promotion in their future anytime soon, new research finds.
A study from Wyzant, an online marketplace for instruction, and the recruiting services firm Recruiter.com, revealed that nearly half of all professionals have not progressed in their career due to a lack of skills training or certifications.
The research shows that moving up the corporate ladder requires more instruction for most employees. Specifically, 71 percent of those surveyed have had to undergo training to keep, or move forward in, a position. Additionally, 73 percent of employees believe if they want a promotion at some point in the future, they will need more certifications, skills training or degrees.
"Many of those who are currently employed have and will inevitably need more training to grow in their current fields – and in some cases – to remain employed at all," Drew Geant, Wyzant CEO and cofounder, said in a statement.
Money is the biggest motivating factor for why professionals seek additional job training or certifications. More than half of those surveyed said wanting to make more money is what pushes them to get more training. [See Related Story: Employee Training: 3 Helpful Hints for Small Businesses]
The study found that more than one-quarter of employees think that more training could increase their salaries by $15,000 per year.
Besides money, 40 percent of those surveyed said they want additional job training or certifications because they are eager to learn and want more self-satisfaction.
In addition, 38 percent said more training would create a better life for their family, 35% said it would improve their resume and 32 percent said it would offer them a way to get better work benefits.
Miles Jennings, CEO of Recruiter.com, said the study shows workers can never get complacent and that we all must all learn to embrace change and continually push forward.
"We must expect the future to change even more rapidly than now, and to succeed we must do everything we can to continue to improve our skills and ourselves," Jennings said. "It is good to see that most people recognize this need and are willing and able to do what it takes to succeed."
The study was based on surveys of 900 employees in the U.S.