7.9m* British workers are not satisfied in their jobs
- 46% of workers who are not self-employed want to be their own boss
- Bigger salaries don’t always equal increased career satisfaction
- Leisure and hospitality is the most satisfying sector to work in: but retail is the least
London, UK – 16th November 2011 – A study into the career satisfaction of British workers reveals that 28% are not satisfied with their current job and only one in four have no plans to change their career in the next five years. The research, carried out among 1,200 British workers and commissioned by Train4TradeSkills, also discovered that only 39% are in their ideal job.
According to the research, British workers believe a decent salary is key to career satisfaction, cited by 64%, as well as a sense of achievement in your work (59%) and being able to work the hours you want (46%). However, it seems that better salaries don’t always equal greater job satisfaction; for example only 24% of those earning £25,000 – £29,999 are dissatisfied in their job, compared to 27% who earn between £35,000 and £49,999.
Workers in leisure and hospitality are some of the most satisfied, with 27% of workers in this sector agreeing they are very satisfied with their job, followed by 24% in manufacturing and IT. In contrast, only 14% in retail and 15% of workers in the transportation sector say they are very satisfied.
Career satisfaction is highest in the South West of Britain and the West Midlands (79% respectively), while workers in the South East and East Midlands (68% respectively) are not as satisfied.
The study shows that overall, the vast majority (84%) of British workers agree there were aspects of their current job that they don’t like. However, 64% have highlighted that there are factors stopping them from changing their careers if they were to pursue this. The key issues for those being stopped from changing their careers were revealed as: not being able to afford to take a pay cut (37%), not being able to afford to retrain (29%) and simply not knowing what they want to do instead (35%).
Mike Head of Train4TradeSkills, comments: “There are many people working in Britain who are not satisfied in their current job and while pay is deemed important, it’s interesting to see that big salaries do not always equal career satisfaction. People are looking for flexible hours, being their own boss and doing work they enjoy and are keen to find a career that offers these benefits.
“The process of retraining and changing careers can be a challenge, but by looking for cost-effective courses that offer virtual learning and the ability to work while you learn, many Brits could find themselves embracing a career they love in the next few years.”
Train4TradeSkills is a specialist training company offering courses that enable students to become qualified Plumbers, Electricians, Gas or Renewable Energy Engineers, to recognised City & Guilds standards. For more information about the Train4TradeSkills courses, visit: www.train4tradeskills.com.
Notes to editors
*As 28% of the estimated number of people employed in Great Britain for June to August 2011 (seasonally adjusted) as 28.302 million, as quoted by the ONS Labour Market Statistics.
All figures, unless otherwise stated, are from YouGov Plc. Total sample size was 2025 adults. Fieldwork was undertaken between 18th – 20th October 2011. The survey was carried out online. The figures have been weighted and are representative of all GB adults (aged 18+)
About Train4TradeSkills
Founded in 2006, UK-based Train4TradeSkills is a specialist training company, offering comprehensive courses that enable students to become qualified Plumbers, Electricians, Gas or Renewable Energy Engineers, to recognised City & Guilds standards.
Through its fulfilment arm, Apprenticeship Training Ltd, Train4TradeSkills works closely with leading industry and awarding bodies to deliver its comprehensive training courses. Each course starts with a blend of book-based learning with thoroughly researched coursework and PC based `e-learning’ with access to a unique 3D Virtual Reality House, followed by hands-on training in highly equipped and professional workshop facilities, which are staffed by tutors recognised by Ofsted to be ‘outstanding’.
Media contact
Darren Willsher
EML Wildfire Technology PR
+44 208 408 8000
