13/07/2001

SURVEY REVEALS HIGH FLYERS HUNGRY FOR INTERNATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES

YOUNG, higher-educated professionals across Europe are hungry for international experience, according to the results of a new survey.

Jobline and Cranfield School of Management questioned over 6,500 professionals from ten countries to assess their ambitions with the respondents coming from across the occupational spectrum, including accountants, lawyers and information technologists.

Some 75 per cent of young professionals believe that international experience will be ‘very important’ to their future careers. Analysis of the feedback also identified that the Italians and Spanish are particularly disposed to gaining international experience.

And they are keen that this should come soon: 57 per cent of all respondents would like their next job to be abroad. Worryingly for employers, 35 per cent do not believe that their current employer can provide them with the international opportunities that they desire; and 17 per cent say that they will leave the company if they are not provided with international experience.

Toon Bouten, CEO, Jobline International, said: “This research proves that there is a great deal of desire and enthusiasm for international opportunities, and that the achievers of the future are switched on to the global nature of business today.

“Organisations wanting to attract and retain the most talented individuals should take account of these ambitions, and not only provide the relevant opportunities, but also convince existing and potential professionals that they can do so.” (MB)

Related Northern Ireland Business News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.

20 March 2003
Firms urged to win business via EU funded projects
As part of their range of programmes to support business development and to encourage more businesses to enter external markets and diversify their overseas presence, Invest NI is to allocate further financial resources to the International Tendering Fund.
22 August 2002
BIA opens £200,000 business lounge
Belfast International Airport (BIA) has opened Northern Ireland's first-ever lounge facility available to all passengers flying on any ticket type with any airline.
01 November 2018
CMA Launches 'Stop Cartels' Campaign
New research has revealed that many firms don't know enough about how to comply with competition law, according to the Competition and Markets Authority's (CMA). Citing this research, the CMA has launched a cartel awareness campaign, which aims to educate businesses about which practices are illegal.
04 March 2002
Top Consignia directors decline 10 per cent pay hike
Two senior directors of postal company Consignia have decided not to accept a 10 per cent pay rise following anger among postal unions.
21 February 2002
Oftel urges BT to cut internet costs
Telecommunications regulator Oftel has recommended that BT slash their costs for unmetered Internet access. Oftel wants BT to cut the amount it charges Internet service providers to use their existing telephone network by seven per cent.