According to research by the Association of Investment Trust Companies, only 2% of school leavers are considering a career in financial services. The association has found that 13% of 16-19 year olds were keen to become professional sportsmen and women, and a further 9% had their hearts set on being pop stars, actors or models!
Parents, on the other hand would much rather their children enter more mainstream professions, such as medicine and law. One in seven parents would like their child to eventually become doctors or dentists, while 13% would like to have a lawyer in the family.
The children, on the other hand, are not as impressed as their parents by traditional jobs. Only 6% are planning to go into law, 4% are planning a career in medicine, and only 2% of school leavers are planning a career in the financial services industry.
The study showed that eleven per cent of those questioned were planning to run their own business, and one in three said that nothing would stop them pursuing their chosen career, despite concerns over how long and expensive that may be.
Our view
This is a real worry, 22%, that is 1 in 5 young adults still with their 'head in the clouds'!
What are our schools really doing?