Millions plan career change over economic downturn

Millions of people are planning career changes in the next 12 months due to the economic downturn, research has found.

A survey by the Association of Colleges (AoC) and YouGov claims more than three million people are considering learning new skills to improve job prospects.

One in five adults planned to gain extra qualifications in the next year, and almost one in 10 planned to swap jobs during the same period.

David Collins, president of the AoC, said he wasn’t surprised by the figures. “Understandably the current economic situation will trigger people to reassess their situation and to come to bold decisions about their future,” said Collins.

“Quite rightly people will be looking at the qualifications they have got and those they need to get to fulfil their future aspirations.”

The study found a fifth of the 2086 respondents had changed careers in the past three years.

Skills secretary John Denham said: “Research like this shows that many people are looking at ways to change their lives.”

Meanwhile, the chair of the employer-led National Skills Academy Strategic Network said the UK will “struggle” to meet the targets set out by the Leitch Review.