Three million 'plan career change'
Updated on 10 November 2008
More than three million people plan to change careers in the next year as a result of the economic downturn, a study suggests.
A survey of more than 2,000 adults found that the financial crisis is causing millions of people to consider learning new skills in order to improve their job prospects.
It found that one in five adults (21%) are planning to gain extra qualifications over the next 12 months.
In total, 8% of those questioned are planning to swap jobs in the next year. As there are more than 40 million adults in England, this means that around 3.2 million people are considering a change in career, the survey suggested.
It also found that 21% of people have changed careers in the last three years. The survey was commissioned by the Association of Colleges (AoC) to mark the start of Colleges Week. The week aims to highlight the role colleges can play in helping people to access the training and education they need.
David Collins, President of the AoC, said: "Understandably the current economic situation will trigger people to reassess their situation and to come to bold decisions about their future.
"Quite rightly people will be looking at the qualifications they have got and those they need to get to fulfil their future aspirations. As we celebrate Colleges Week, we would encourage anyone interested in updating their skills to contact their local college."
The study found that 38% of people want to return to education to increase their earning power. One in 10 said they wanted more qualifications because they felt they were in the wrong job, and wished they had made different decisions about their education and career.
Skills Secretary John Denham said: "Research like this shows that many people are looking at ways to change their lives."
The online YouGov survey is based on a sample of 2,086 adults questioned between October 29 and 31.
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