Tier 2 switch employers - ILR

Hi, my friend has been on tier 2 general Visa for last 4 years and is now joining another employer who is also providing tier 2 general sponsorship and Visa.

On the new sponsorship visa employers has provided different SOC ( Shortage Occupation Code) than to what previous employer had provided. Can you confirm if this will not affect his eligibility to apply for ILR on completion of 5 years?

All time spent on tier 2 counts.

I fail to understand why members believe changing employers or SOC potentially affects ilr. HO guidance and rules are very clear on the total 6 year cap for tier 2 and the 5 year requirement for ilr on the VISA category, regardless of one employer or 10.