Young Britons switched on at sixteen

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.

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 GCSEs results approaching and A-levels around the corner, 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 percent) 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 and 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.’

Dream jobs and the gender divide
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.

Twelve 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.

And World Cup fever seems to have captured the imagination of the younger 11-14 year old boys more than the 15-18 year olds, with over a quarter wanting to be footballers.

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.

Brooker adds: ’With the wide range of professions available today it can sometimes be confusing to choose your direction. This is why we launched ’The real you’ campaign last year to guide young people through the career maze and to demonstrate how vocational training can be their route to success. We are continually developing this campaign and hope to include more careers advice in the future.’

Index reveals young person’s idols
It would seem there are a number of successful celebrities motivating young talent. David Beckham tops the league of most inspirational celebrities for 11-18 year olds with 16 per cent putting him top of their list, followed by Ant and Dec (10 per cent). Other celebrities admired include Sir Richard Branson and Sir Alan Sugar. And almost half (46 percent) of young people admire their favourite celebrity because theybelieve they worked hard to get where they are.

The altruistic pursuits of favoured celebrities like Jamie Oliver and Bob Geldof are encouraging some young people to give something back. Fifty-five per cent of 16 year olds do not want to work in a big office, and of those, over seven in ten (72 per cent) think that the most important aspect of a future job is the positive difference it will make.

Brooker continues: ’Admiring celebrities plays a big role in all young peoples’ lives and it is enlightening to see that they are choosing celebrities that enjoy their jobs as well as looking towards the financial rewards. While this is encouraging to hear it’s essential that young people are aware of all their career options before making any important decisions about the profession that they would like to pursue.’