There is a common perception worldwide about the tech sector—that employees here change jobs frequently, learn new skills, and often move from one company to another. However, a recent major study in Australia challenges this conventional belief.
According to a 2023 study by the Tech Council of Australia, the job-switching rate among tech sector employees in Australia is only 8%, whereas in other sectors the rate is about 11%. It was also found that a tech employee remains at the same company for an average of 5.3 years.
Why Such Stability in the Tech Sector?
Several strategies have been adopted in Australia to establish the tech sector as a long-term career:
- Training and skill development programs for tech professionals
- Policies to maintain workplace stability and work-life balance
- Special incentives and inclusive workplace environments for women
- Officially declaring the tech sector as ‘Future-Proof Jobs’
Context of Bangladesh: How Different Is the Picture?
The job-switching rate among those employed in Bangladesh’s IT and software sector is significantly higher. According to a 2022 survey by BASIS:
- Average job tenure in the country’s software and IT sector is only 1.8 years
- 60% of young developers change jobs across multiple companies within three years
- 70% of startup employees move to new opportunities within two years
According to the 2021 report by the Ministry of ICT, 64% of young employees in Bangladesh’s IT sector are under 30, most of whom change jobs hoping for quick salary growth. On the other hand, 75% of companies have no defined career planning or skill development structure.
The reasons are:
- Salary disparity and instability: Many organizations lack sufficient measures to retain tech talent
- Limited career growth opportunities: Lack of promotion from within or in-house skill development
- Overtime culture and exhausting work environment: Loss of balance between professional and personal life
- High inflow and outflow due to startup culture
Another Major Lesson from Australia: The Risk of Tech Failures
Recently, the Australian Stock Exchange (ASX) suffered a major failure while attempting to launch a blockchain-based technology upgrade at a cost of $250 million. As a result, the Reserve Bank of Australia stated that this failure by ASX has put the stability of the entire country’s financial system at risk.
There are similar examples in Bangladesh:
- In 2023, a major bank’s Core Banking System was down for 12 hours
- Online government application systems experience at least 3–4 system failures per year
- In 2022, more than 30 government websites suffered hacks or data leaks (Cyber Crime Unit report)
What Can We Learn?
1. Changing corporate culture is necessary for job stability: Emphasis must be placed on training, evaluation, and skill development
2. Long-term planning is needed to retain tech talent: Such as ESOP (Employee Stock Ownership Plan), hybrid working, and incentives
3. Investment in tech infrastructure and risk management: Large organizations in Bangladesh must make Disaster Recovery and Security Auditing mandatory
Looking to the Future
- Australia is now introducing laws that require gender equality to be ensured in order to win government tenders.
- Small businesses are being actively brought online to enhance economic inclusion.
- Technology is now not just work, but a culture—where coding, problem-solving, and innovation are at the core.
If Bangladesh’s tech sector pays attention to these areas, the younger generation will not only acquire skills, but also transform into a long-term and valuable professional workforce.
Share your opinion:
How prepared do you think Bangladesh’s tech companies are to increase job stability? Let us know by commenting below.
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