How about a new life as a fish fryer, asks job quiz

BINGO caller, fish fryer and cake decorator are among the bizarre careers jobseekers have been directed towards by the Government’s skills assessment quiz.

Thousands took the test online yesterday after Chancellor Rishi Sunak said people ‘in all walks of life’ should consider retraining for new careers in the wake of redundancies caused by the pandemic.

The results from the tool, which was launched by the National Careers Serv

‘Up to date information’

ice last year, have left some users baffled after they were told to retrain as boxers, bingo callers and even actors.

The quiz consists of 50 questions and asks participants to self-evaluate on a number of workplace traits, such as the ability to take control of situations.

Users are also asked to assess statements such as ‘I prefer to follow what other people are doing’ on a scale of ‘strongly agree’ to ‘strongly disagree’.

Some of the results have raised eyebrows – and even suggested to take up careers in struggling industries.

Several were told they could be a boxer despite the quiz failing to take into account their age or level of fitness.

Musician Catherine Rose, 57, was told she could potentially be a ‘ sports professional’ or a referee.

Just days after Cineworld and other chains announced they would close their cinemas until next year, one participant was told he should be a ‘cinema projectionist’.

Others have been told to retrain as airline pilots just as the industry pleads for state support. Professionals from creative areas such as the arts and culture were told they could become lock keepers, fish fryers, meat-process workers or cake decorators.

Meanwhile some were advised to retrain in their current field. Actor Darren Lawrence was pointed towards the ‘creative and media’ industry – and most specifically, acting – while some journalists were advised they should be a newspaper editor.

A number of unlucky participants were even told their personalities weren’t suited to any sector at all.

A spokesman for the Department for Education said: ‘The National Careers Service provides free, up to date, impartial information, advice and guidance on careers, skills and the labour market, across England, to anyone over the age of 13.

‘The discover your skills and careers tool is designed to help people to take the first steps in reviewing their strengths and interests, and suggesting possible future career options.

‘After getting some initial ideas, people can then use our skills health check tool to help refine their thinking about what careers may be right for them.’

He added: ‘Our National Careers Service advisers also provide personalised advice informed by local labour market intelligence.’