Abu Dhabi– CFA Institute, the global association of investment professionals, recently released the fourth report in its Future of Work series, exploring the Context, Culture, and Content of Work in the investment industry.

Advancing technologies and hybrid working continue to change the shape of careers in finance. The Future of Work in Investment Management: The Future of Skills and Learning draws on CFA Institute survey data to identify the skills and learning equation for building talent and careers in a rapidly transforming investment industry. The report highlights current gaps between the supply and demand for skills in the investment industry, examines learning trends, and proposes changes to investment teams to better leverage diverse talent and the combined power of discrete but complementary skills.

The complete four-part Future of Work series draws from responses from a combined group of more than 11,000 investment professionals globally across three surveys. The series also draws on survey input from leaders at 41 investment organizations representing more than 230,000 employees. In addition, more than 100 investment professionals and human resources professionals in the investment management industry provided qualitative input through virtual roundtables in the following markets: the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, the United States, Australia, Canada, China, India, Japan, Malaysia, Singapore, South Africa, Switzerland, and Uruguay.

Fewer than half of survey respondents receive support from employers to develop the new skills they need. Artificial Intelligence (AI), machine learning, decentralized finance, and sustainability currently present some of the largest gaps between interest in learning and supply of expertise. Chief Investment Officers and those in fintech/IT, trading, sales, and accountancy positions have the highest expectation of significant change to their roles. 

William Tohme, Senior Regional Head, Middle East and North Africa at ‎CFA Institute, said: “In a dynamic and ever-changing environment, we need to reevaluate and reassess how organizations function continuously. With a vast focus on continuous development programs, investment companies need to revisit their talent devolvement programs to seek and retain the best talent in this competitive sector.

By taking the opportunity to invest in professional development, employees can always be up to date with not only new technological advancements slowly arising in the industry but also the soft skills needed in people’s everyday jobs like negotiating and persuading, which have become more prevalent in the new world of work.

Key Findings: