Young people put education and healthcare at top of career wish list - [14 Aug 2007]
Under strict embargo until 00.01am on Tuesday 14 August 2007
The latest research from City & Guilds reveals that despite the emergence of newer industries, the more altruistic sectors of education and healthcare hold the most appeal for 26% of today’s younger generation*.
The work-related awarding body’s Aspiration Index explores the career choices of the UK’s school and college leavers, and uncovers what young people perceive as the routes, and barriers, to success.
According to the survey, almost two-thirds (62%) of people under the age of 25 have a clear idea of their dream job. Of this group, nearly half (48%) are currently studying to follow their career aspirations, and approximately a quarter (24%) are already working in or towards their job of choice.
Many younger respondents admitted to temporarily shelving their career ambitions or being discouraged by what they see as a saturated market in their chosen area. Nearly one in three (30%) believes work experience is the best way to land their dream job, with another quarter (26%) believing the right skills and qualifications will open the door for them.
The latter would appear to be backed up by the experiences of the older survey respondents (aged 45-65) with an ideal job in mind. Twenty five per cent said they believed having the right qualifications or experiences would have given them the leg up they needed to get into their ideal profession.
Commenting on the research, City & Guilds Awards managing director, Dick Winterton, said: “Our research shows that the majority of young people know which career they want to pursue. Top of the list are healthcare and education – which is good news for the UK’s public services.
“The popularity of these traditional sectors may be surprising, considering the number of new industries which have emerged over the last century. But careers in healthcare and education equip people with transferable skills that are in global demand. This offers young people the chance to use their skills whilst broadening their horizons through travel.
“What’s more, the government has been heavily campaigning to get more recruits into healthcare and education services over the last few years.”
However, the report also highlighted that over a third (38%) of those surveyed had no clear idea of their future career plans, which raises concerns in an economy struggling with skills shortages and staff retention issues.
ENDS
*26% of those respondents who said they had an ideal career in mind chose a future in the healthcare or education industries.
For more information
Please contact Lotte Jones or Carolyn Walker on 0207 260 2700 or cityandguilds@bluerubicon.com
Notes to editors
This research was conducted on behalf of City & Guilds by YouGov Plc. Total sample size was 1,447 adults aged 45-65 and 1,025 adults aged 16-25. Fieldwork was undertaken between 26th - 30th July 2007. The surveys were carried out online. The samples were drawn to represent cross-sections of GB adults in these age groups.
Interesting findings
• The future looks bright for science! Compounded with Gordon Brown’s investment of £1.3 billion in science and technology from the last Budget, the industry’s popularity has doubled amongst the younger people surveyed when compared to their parents’ generation.
• Well documented literary successes, such as Harry Potter, have bred a young generation keen to get into publishing, with its popularity rising two places in the rankings for ideal jobs.
• Advertising and PR has leapt from number 8 to number 3 in the Aspiration Index, reflecting young people’s ever-rising attraction to media roles.
• The influence of television cannot be underestimated – one supposed Spooks or 24 fan thought their ideal job would be to work as a spy for the British Government.
• Another wished to escape it all to sell ice-creams on the Mediterranean.
• One young person hopes to work as a forensic scientist for the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.
• One community-spirited young person is establishing a research project to explore the spirituality of young people in Essex.
About City & Guilds
City & Guilds is the expert and leading authority in vocational education and training - both in the UK and beyond.
In operation for the last 130 years, City & Guilds is the UK’s leading awarding body for work-related qualifications. Twenty million people in the UK have City & Guilds qualifications, and the organisation awards a further 1.5 million qualifications to learners every year.
City & Guilds also enables people to develop essential leadership and management skills through its Institute of Leadership and Management, which is the largest provider of management qualifications in Europe.
City & Guilds creates prosperity from skills for individuals, business and nations within and beyond the workplace.
