Trends and data
The recently published OneAdvanced Education Trends Report 2025 provides vital insights into the challenges and opportunities shaping the education sector today. Covering key topics such as AI integration, cloud adoption, sustainability, and cybersecurity, the report highlights how technology is empowering educators to address complex issues head-on. Among the most urgent concerns is the ongoing battle to retain and attract talent.
The latest National Education Union (NEU) survey reveals that 16% of school teachers plan to leave the profession within two years, and 41% plan to leave within five years. Meanwhile, 23% of support staff say they no longer expect to be working in education within 12 months, and 48% expect to leave by 2028.
In further education, the picture is no better: an Institute for Fiscal Studies report in 2023 revealed that 25% of college teachers leave after 12 months, while less than 25% remain in the profession after 10 years. Reasons given include low pay, insufficient attention to wellbeing and mental health, and lack of opportunity for progression.
Top priorities
Against this background, it is unsurprising that nearly one third (30%) of respondents in the OneAdvanced report cite talent attraction and retention as their organisation’s single biggest challenge. Nearly half (48%) say this is a core priority for their organisation over next 12 months, while 63% recognise that committed teaching staff and strong leadership are key drivers of success.
In turn, the mental and physical health of teachers, leaders and support staff remains a top priority for education providers of all stripes. Improvements in wellbeing not only lead to reduced levels of attrition and increased talent attraction, but ultimately, better outcomes for learners.
The digital advantage
While not a magic bullet, technology can have a meaningful part to play in employee wellbeing and motivation. Digital tools offer a cost-effective, time-saving solution to people management, moving the organisation away from an outdated ‘annual appraisal’ toward real-time feedback.
Using digital continuous performance management tools, senior leaders can set reasonable and meaningful goals, gain a clear view on opportunities for progression, and send real-time feedback and praise to any member of the organisation.
This digital approach is most effective when paired with a strategic shift that prioritises positive organisational culture. This cannot happen overnight, and requires careful planning, buy in from staff, and ongoing commitment. For a guide on how to build a positive organisational culture within your organisation, read our popular blog: Staff shortages in education: Breaking the pattern of attrition.
Talent attraction
While there is a strong correlation between staff motivation and improved retention rates, motivated teams also enhance and organisation’s ability to attract talent. By implementing a progressive and strategic approach to staff retention, organisations cultivate a strong reputation as an employer of choice.
At the same time, organisations that utilise modern digital tools on a day-to-day basis become an attraction proposition to digital natives, a generation comfortable with new and emerging technologies.
Don’t miss our invaluable 3-part webinar series with education expert Dr Van de Eecken: Unlocking Performance and Talent in your organisation.