Young Britons switched on at 16

Citation

(2006), "Young Britons switched on at 16", Education + Training, Vol. 48 No. 8/9. https://doi.org/10.1108/et.2006.00448hab.001

Young Britons switched on at 16

An astute new breed of 16-year-olds is emerging in the UK, challenging the old notion that the youth of today lacks drive. According to the second City and Guilds Youth Aspiration Index – an annual monitor of the career goals of Britain’s 11-18 year olds – 16 year olds have surfaced as the most savvy of the group, more likely than any other age to choose hard work and happiness over remuneration. Despite common misconceptions of young people being lazy and unmotivated, the Index reveals that today’s school leavers are not afraid of grafting, with most 16 year olds (81 per cent) prepared to work long hours to reach their goals. The Index shows they put more thought into their careers than any other age group, with a fifth (19 per cent) thinking about getting a job more than anything else and a quarter (24 per cent) considering their future all the time.

Inspired by role models such as Richard Branson, Sir Alan Sugar and Jamie Oliver – who they believe got to where they are through hard work and determination – many 16 year olds (23 per cent) also have visions of running their own business. This ambition grows stronger as they get older, with 25 per cent of 17 year olds and 38 per cent of 18 year olds hoping to set up shop.

They are also the most optimistic of all young people, with 90 per cent of 16 year olds expecting to be happy in their future career. A total of 39 per cent put happiness, rather than money (17 per cent), at the top of their career wish list – a remarkable difference to their younger 13-year-old counterparts who prioritise money (32 per cent) over happiness (27 per cent).

Britain’s future workers also have clear ideas about the professions they admire and want to work in, with gender stereotypes for girls and boys set at a young age. A total of 12 per cent of 11-14 year old girls want to be hairdressers or beauty therapists when they grow up, rising to 18 per cent when they are 15-18 years old. While boys tend to prefer sports roles, girls look towards nurturing positions, such as working with animals. However, as they get older, perspectives change and horizons broaden, with the medical profession becoming more appealing.