New research out today paints a disconcerting picture of frustrated determination; millennials are keen to succeed in high-skilled sectors, but without the necessary training and educational infrastructure to unlock their talent are stuck looking in from the outside.
The report commissioned by The Enterprise Investment Scheme Association is a new nationwide sentiment study to analyse those that constitute the future of the UK workforce – charged with picking up the post-Brexit pieces and driving an EU-free private sector forward.
51% of 18-34 year olds would instigate a career change into a higher skilled sector later in life but don’t feel they have the academic or professional support to do so while 61% of millennials feel that the UK’s university course options need to be more relevant to an increased number of high-skilled sectors in the UK private sector.
A quarter of those questioned are considering leaving as they feel there are more career opportunities outside of the UK and the same proportion said that the degree they read was unrelated to the career path they pursued.19% believe there are more highly skilled job opportunities outside of the UK, and this will increase post-Brexit
37% said that their academic qualifications did not prepare them for their current career due to the technical nature of the field they are in and 39% don’t feel that UCAS options reflect the true requirements of the modern UK private-sector.
24% have taken a weekend/night-class alongside their day-job so they can move to a higher-skilled sector,39% want to work in new-age tech but do not feel they have the adequate educational or professional resources to do so and 39% wish they had entered their career through a traineeship/apprenticeship rather than going to university as the hands-on experience has proven more valuable for their present role.
Mark Brownridge, Director General of the Enterprise Investment Scheme Association, said of the results:
“Overall EISA has repeatedly heard from SMEs that they are more worried about the lack of skilled labour coming in from the EU to provide them with the technical skills and workforce they require to drive their business forward due to a lack of technically skilled people. The two main problems that all entrepreneurs face is cash – or the lack of it – and people. The Chancellor’s Spring Statement announcement of an £80m apprenticeship fund helped shore up SMEs on both fronts, but there is a clear need to go further. The results of this report should serve as a call to action for all in the industry to contribute to building a higher-skilled, post-Brexit workforce.”
