09/02/2026 Corporate Colleagues
Half of teenagers say climbing the corporate ladder is “not for them” as the next generation prioritises pay, security and skills over job titles
Teenagers across the UK are turning away from the traditional idea of “climbing the corporate ladder”, with our new research showing a major shift in what the next generation wants from work.
In a survey of 2,000 young people, over half (51%) said the corporate ladder is “not for them”, and only 22% are interested in an office based management job. The findings coincide with National Apprenticeship Week 2026 and highlight a growing appetite for practical skills, financial security and careers with real impact.
Watch: Apprentice Journeys
Meet some of our apprentices and hear their advice to others considering the same path.
Teenagers want skills, stability and earlier earning
Teens are making career decisions shaped by rising living costs, the desire to avoid debt and a more realistic outlook on work. Their top priorities include:
- Good pay (50%)
- Work-life balance (37%)
- Feeling proud of what they do (33%)
- Job security (27%)
Many are also weighing up the financial realities of university. With the cost of living rising and home ownership feeling increasingly out of reach, apprenticeships are gaining serious appeal. Almost half believe trade roles will earn more than office jobs by 2030.
Breaking away from their parents’ career paths
Teenagers today want careers that feel more flexible and more aligned with their values. A significant majority say they want a very different career path from their parents, and many feel traditional office environments offer little appeal. Office jobs are most associated with stress, long hours and too many meetings, not high status or clear progression.
AI and automation are also changing perceptions. Almost half of teens say these technologies make office roles feel less secure, pushing them toward careers that offer hands on experience and clear, transferable skills.
Apprenticeships on the rise
Apprenticeships are increasingly seen as a “real world university”, a way to gain experience, earn immediately and avoid large debts. More teenagers than ever are choosing apprenticeships as a practical alternative to university:
- 52% say they are likely to choose an apprenticeship
- 46% want hands on experience
- 43% want to earn while they learn
- 34% want to avoid student debt
Construction aligns well with Gen Z values
Despite valuing skills, stability and progression, only 9% of teens say construction is their top choice, even though the industry offers exactly what many are looking for.
To help close this gap, we’re launching 186 new apprenticeship roles across the UK during National Apprenticeship Week, offering young people the chance to build long term careers in housebuilding while earning from day one.
David Thomas, CEO of Barratt Redrow, said:
“Young people joining our workforce want practical skills, financial security and careers where they can see the impact of their work. Construction is well placed to offer all of that, with a wide range of roles, great pay and job security, whether through apprenticeships, graduate programmes or professional careers.
As the industry faces a growing skills gap alongside increasing demand to build, investing in the next generation through skilled apprenticeships that lead to long-term careers, is not just good for construction, but essential for the future of UK housebuilding.”
Link to Download the full report here
For more information on apprenticeship opportunities visit: www.barrattcareers.co.uk