Third of SW parents want their children to have a professional career

A third (33 per cent) of South West parents want their children to have professional careers, a poll from Action for Children has revealed with two thirds (65 per cent) wanting their children to go to university once their compulsory education is completed.

The results are from a survey of over 2000 parents across the UK, with the South West subsample showing that the second most popular sector behind professional was public services (11.7 per cent).

A further sub sample, of parents who think their children will struggle to get a job in the area they want them to work in, cited too much competition (74 per cent) as the biggest barrier.

One in six (15 per cent) of this parents believed a lack of skills and qualifications is the reason for their children not getting the job that they want them to.

Brigitte Gater, Action for Children’s director of children’s services said: “Parents want the best in life for their children, including a career, but with cuts to student grants and stiff competition for jobs many young people, especially the disadvantaged just don’t have the same chance as some of their peers to improve their life chances.

“At Action for Children, we provide opportunities for young people to develop – from employment and training services offering young people work tasters and placements to skills and job seeking workshops, and internship opportunities. We know from talking to people who use our services that this helps young people thrive and drive their educational achievement.”

Action for Children run a number of services across the South West which support young people into work.  You can find your nearest Action for Children education, employment and training programme at www.actionforchildren.org.uk.