Young Brits no longer want to do jobs that required hard grafting says new survey

YOUNG BRITS ARE SNUBBING TRADITIONAL JOBS IN TEACHING, NURSING AND TRADES – CLAIMING THEY ASPIRE TO BE TATTOO ARTISTS, MUSIC PRODUCERS AND STYLISTS 

A nationwide study into the career aspirations of modern Brits has revealed the extent to which many traditional or practical roles are being rejected by today’s young people, as the number one dream job of 16-30-year olds emerged as travel blogger (14 percent).

Second in the list, according to the poll, was computer game designer (12 percent), with photographer coming third. (10 percent). Social media influencer, bar owner, stylist, creative director and professional footballer also made the list of dream jobs modern youngsters are working towards.

Last year, the number of teachers working in state schools in the UK fell to its lowest level since 2013, according to the Department of Education and early last year, applications to study nursing in England fell for the second year in a row (UCAS).

As many as 15 percent of the 16-30 year olds who were interviewed said their parents had been trades people, 12 recent said they worked in retail, a further 12 percent were teachers or nurses, 11 percent were office workers and one in ten had been factory workers.

But the study of 2,000 Brits, commissioned by loan and mortgage provider, Togethermoney.com, found as many as three-quarters (75 percent) of youngsters said the thought of following in their parent’s footsteps was “depressing”.

This has, not surprisingly, led to family arguments, with over half (51 percent) of modern Brits having rowed with their parents about their career choices.

The top reason given for the younger generation not following in their parents’ footsteps was having bigger dreams (23 percent), followed by wanting to be more creative (20 percent).

Six percent said that they thought that AI or robots would make traditional jobs extinct anyhow.

Pete Ball, Together’s personal finance CEO said: “Times have changed massively between generations, as our study shows.

“Young people seem to be shunning the trades their parents followed in favour of jobs they perhaps see as more exciting and creative.

“They want more flexibility in the way they work; so, they may want to take on short-term contracts or become their own boss, for example.

“The research just goes to highlight how the idea of ‘normal’ jobs — the type their parents had — could become a thing of the past. We may be moving towards a ‘new normal’ when it comes to younger generation’s career aspirations.”

The study also revealed the perception shift in modern Brits in relation to their careers. While job flexibility is crucial for 90 percent of 16-30-year-olds, it is only important to 67 percent of over-50s.

So, it is no surprise to find 16 percent of 16-30-year-olds are self-employed or running their own business, compared to just 7 percent of over-50s.

The study found that, while more than a fifth (21 percent) of the younger generation think it is vital to run your own business, a mere 12 percent of over-50s feel the same.

The attitude chasm between generations goes deeper than employment. Nearly half (48 percent) over-50s Brits claim that having kids is vital to life, compared to just 37 percent of 16-30-year-olds.

30 percent of young Brits believe that it’s important that their job reflects who they are as a person, compared to just 19 percent of over-50s.

And while more than a quarter (26 percent) of older Brits think that formal training is crucial in order to get a good career, only 15 percent of young people feel the same.