More and more young people opting for less traditional careers, says new research

Young people are now opting for fun and boosted earlier earning potential from their careers as new research reveals the traditional nine-to-five may be a thing of the past. 

More than seven in 10 people say conventional working patterns are outdated in today’s working world, according to research from pub company and brewer, Greene King, as flexible working patterns take precedence post-pandemic.

The trend is especially evident among youngsters aged 18-24, with almost half citing work/life balance as the most important factor in their career, followed by career progression (29 per cent) and earnings (18 per cent).

Apprenticeships within the hospitality sector are one of the options gaining significant traction this year, due to the flexible working patterns offered within the industry as well as long-term earning potential. 

This comes as millions of teenagers prepare to receive their A-level results and plot their long-term career options, with school leavers increasingly considering non-traditional career paths. 

The stats show over four in five young people say apprenticeships are a viable alternative to university, while 62 per cent say they are a better option altogether. 

In fact, nearly two thirds of people believe hospitality jobs provide young people with better early career earning potential than jobs that require a degree. 

According to Greene King’s research, when it comes to why young people value working in hospitality, socialising (48 per cent), having fun (46 per cent), and teamwork (41 per cent) are the top three drivers, while 87 per cent say it offers valuable transferable skills.

Overall, the study found nearly six in 10 Brits currently work in or have previously worked in hospitality, with around four in five of those people saying it was or is a fun job to have.

As a result, more than half the nation see hospitality as a good long-term career option, with 62 per cent of people aged 18-44 saying they have or would consider a career in the industry, compared to just 39 per cent of over 45s.

These findings align with the top three things about apprenticeships, according to the data, which are learning while earning (74 per cent), gaining hands-on experience (71 per cent), and developing lifelong skills (54 per cent). 

More than two thirds of Gen Z want to work in a hybrid capacity, the data shows, compared to 11 per cent who want to work in an office, with health and wellbeing (36 per cent) and reduced burnout (35 per cent) cited as key drivers towards flexible working.

In 2022, Greene King pledged to achieve 20,000 apprentices by 2025. It is making steady progress towards this, having supported over 17,000 through its award-winning apprenticeship scheme since 2011.

Graham Briggs, head of apprenticeships and employability programmes at Greene King, said:“There is a clearly recognisable shift in the way young people in Britain are viewing their careers, as flexibility, fun, and maintaining a healthy work-life balance take precedence over traditional working patterns. 

“This trend could lead to millions more young people considering a career in hospitality, which offers them a viable, and great alternative to university.”

For more information about Greene King apprenticeships and roles, click here.