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 & 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.
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.
With GCSE and A-levels results now here, 16 year olds are at a “careers crossroad”, considering whether to remain in education or seek employment. 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.
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. Thirty-nine 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).
Keith Brooker, director of group markets and products at City & Guilds comments: “It’s enlightening to see that many 16 year olds today are extremely ambitious and possess real entrepreneurial spirit. It’s vital that, as a society, we encourage them to fulfil their vision by giving them as much support, guidance and training as possible at this critical stage in their lives. Deciding on a career is a very daunting prospect and it is great to see that most young people are taking their future seriously and considering all the options open to them.
“I am also pleased that the next generation are looking for jobs that will make them happy over those that will just pay the best wages. Nowadays, true job satisfaction and happiness is about fulfilling your full potential, tapping into your own creativity and feeling that you can make a difference. As we spend so much time at work, it's important that we enjoy what we do and build on the skills that we’re good at.”