Gen Z prioritise pay and job security over status – Barratt Redrow

Gen Z are losing sleep over their futures, with worries about pay, jobs and housing coming out top, research commissioned by Barratt Redrow found. 

More than a quarter (27%) said choosing the right career was their biggest concern, with the same number (27%) worried about being able to buy a home. 

The survey of 2,000 young people aged 13 to 28 also found that 24% were worried about getting or finding a job, 23% about mental health, and 16% about artificial intelligence (AI) or automation taking jobs.

Good pay was the main priority for Gen Z in work, with 46% putting it first. 

This was followed by work-life balance (35%), feeling proud of what they do (30%) and job security (24%). 

Status or job title was low down the list at only 8%. 

Among teenagers, 50% said good pay was most important, 37% cited work-life balance, 33% wanted to feel proud of their job, and 27% said job security mattered most. 

Nearly two-thirds (65%) of teenagers said being able to afford a home mattered more than job title, while 28% said earning enough to buy a home was one of their biggest worries.

Nearly half (48%) of Gen Z said they would pick an apprenticeship over university, with 40% citing hands-on experience, 37% earning money from day one and 29% avoiding student debt as the main draws. 

46% said the most aspirational job was a skilled trade, and 40% of teenagers believed trade jobs would pay more than office jobs by 2030. 

Three years ago, 68% of 16-24s reported a stigma around apprenticeships compared with higher education, showing a shift in attitudes. 

Among teenagers, 48% said concerns about AI and automation had made office-based jobs less appealing.

Chris Bailey, group skills development manager at Barratt Redrow, said: “This is not a cohort solely chasing status symbols or vague notions of ‘success.’ 

“They want work that pays fairly, allows them to live a life outside the job, delivers a sense of purpose, and gives them long-term stability. 

“Crucially, these are exactly the outcomes that high-quality apprenticeships within the construction sector are designed to deliver.”

Bailey added: “Structured training, real responsibility from day one, recognised qualifications and clear progression frameworks mean young people can see and feel their growth.”