Bryan HayResearch from Grayce has contradicted the notion that public sector jobs aren’t appealing to young people. It found the sector to be among the top choices for careers, following creative and media, health and social care, and financial services. Factors such as competitive salaries, work/life balance, and flexibility contribute to its attractiveness.
However, a gap exists between the interest shown by young people and their actual pursuit of public sector careers. Data shows that under 25s represent only 4.6% of the workforce, with a significant portion of employees aged over 40. Additionally, the sector faces skill gaps, with public establishments more likely to report these issues compared to private and charity sectors.
The House of Lords Public Services Committee report highlights that young people now prioritize roles that offer growth, skill development, and meaningful work over traditional job security and pensions. The report suggests that to attract young talent, public sector roles need to be more rewarding, challenging, and development-focused.
Grayce’s research indicates that young workers are less concerned with salary and more with doing meaningful work and aligning with a company’s values. However, concerns about funding cuts and perceptions of the public sector being bureaucratic and resistant to change deter young people from these roles.
