Increased job security combined with an optimistic outlook for the economy is giving one in five (20%) workers in the marketing and creative industry the confidence to search for new jobs – according to recruitment specialist REED.
With workers in the marketing and creative sectors reporting a lack of benefits (almost half received no benefits such as training in 2013), the new Reed Marketing & Creative Agency Salary Guide and Market Insight Report 2014 reveals that it’s time for agencies to take action to make sure they keep hold of their talent.
Having canvassed the attitudes of around 2,500 workers and employers working in a variety of industry sectors and job levels, REED also uncovered that almost three quarters of workers in the marketing and creative industry (71%) haven’t received a pay rise in the last 12 months, with 64% receiving no training, and 72% not receiving any form of staff entertainment. Additionally, one quarter (23%) of the industry revealed they have not received a pay rise in the past five years.
The REED 2014 Salary and Market Insight report shows that while the UK’s marketing and creative workforce is stable with nearly nine out of ten (89%) workers feeling secure or very secure in their roles, a third (29%) of employers are worried about losing talented individuals from their organisation.
Marketing and creative organisations appear to be turning towards alternative methods of reward than established measures such as pay rises. Flexible working (29%), internal promotion (27%) and training (36%) are all used more frequently than traditional incentives – used by just 20% of companies – as a way to retaining or attracting talent.
Despite the biggest opportunities for candidates and businesses in this industry being in digital – two thirds (63%) of marketing and creative companies are still not offering any training to workers, risking leaving themselves and their employees behind in the fast-moving digital world.
The report also highlighted a shortage of skills, with more than a third (29%) of marketing and creative agencies saying they have a skills gap in their organisation, and 63% saying this gap is having a negative impact on their business.
Catherine Maskell, head of marketing at REED commented: “It’s great that workers in marketing and creative agencies are feeling secure in their current roles – it’s just another clear indicator that the economy is improving. What this also reveals, however, is that with security comes confidence, which in turn encourages people to think about their next move, so employers need to be able to respond to this quickly to stop talent jumping ship.
“Recently described as “a powerhouse within the UK economy”, these are transformational times for the marketing and creative sector, and those employers and candidates who are willing to embrace change will enjoy the rewards.”
The Reed Marketing & Creative Agency Salary Guide and Market Insight Report 2014 is available from 7 April 2014 and can be obtained here or by visiting www.reedglobal.com.
