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Global capability centres (GCCs) are grappling with a significant talent retention challenge, as employee expectations and hiring trends undergo a seismic shift, a recent study by CIEL HR reveals. About 52% of the GCC workforce is actively considering new job opportunities, driven by a desire for career progression, flexibility, inclusivity, and purpose. This trend is forcing GCCs to rethink their strategies for attracting and retaining top talent in a highly competitive market.

The study highlights that 51% of GCCs in India cite talent retention as their top challenge, amid rising attrition and job-switching intent. Despite the challenges, GCCs are offering significantly higher compensation, ranging from 12% to 20% above traditional IT services, to attract and retain top professionals in high-demand domains such as AI, machine learning, and cloud computing. The talent war is particularly intense among tech-forward enterprises, where deep digital expertise is non-negotiable.

According to the study, 55% of product development professionals and 45% of IT employees are currently exploring new job opportunities, while 28% of executives across IT, financial services, and manufacturing have already changed jobs in the past year. This trend underscores the need for GCCs to adopt a more nuanced approach to talent management, one that goes beyond mere compensation and benefits.

Aditya Narayan Mishra, Managing Director & CEO of CIEL HR, notes that India’s pivotal role in global innovation and high-value delivery is underscored by the presence of over 1,700 GCCs in the country. However, he emphasises the need for a decisive shift from transactional approaches to holistic employee engagement.