‘Young people aspire to traditional careers’

YOUNG people still want to do traditional jobs when they grow older, despite the digital revolution, new figures show.

Analysis by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) has found that roles in the art, literature or media industries, emergency services, teaching or health sectors still dominate the ambitions of 16 to 21-year-olds.

In spite of the huge expansion of digital-focused jobs in recent years, the data showed little change between aspirations in 2017 compared with 2011.

However, the figures also revealed a stark gap between aspiration and achievement.

While more than 11 per cent of those surveyed in 2011 said they wanted an artistic, literary or media career, fewer than two per cent ended up in those jobs.

Roughly the same proportion found themselves becoming health professionals such as nurses, midwives, pharmacists or vets, or joining the emergency services.

Among the “top five” dream jobs, the smallest gap between aspiration and attainment was in education, with nine per cent aspiring to teach compared with 4.5 per cent becoming teachers.

Rachel Mcsweeney, an ONS statistician, said the fact people’s aspirations appeared not to have changed was “significant”. “It implies there might be a disparity between what is happening in the jobs market and the information they receive.”