New report from the Department of Education sheds light on working parents

New research commissioned by the Department for Education’s Teach in Further Education campaign reveals the top three factors working parents consider when looking for a job. Work life balance came out on top (70%), while flexible working hours (43%) and a job where they can use their existing skills (26%) also ranked highly.

Juggling childcare with a career can be a challenge for many and the research reveals there is an appetite for greater flexibility in parents’ working lives. Working parents make up a core part of the UK’s workforce – figures from the Office for National Statistics show 3 in 4 mothers and 9 in 10 fathers with dependent children are employed in the UK. Teaching in further education (FE) could be the perfect career pivot for working parents interested in exploring roles connected to their field that offer the potential for part-time and flexible opportunities. 

The research reveals that working parents remain committed to their sector and are enthusiastic about protecting its future, with 80% saying they would be interested in a role that helps drive new talent into their industry. With a wide range of subjects taught in FE, from construction and engineering to law or health care, many recognise the opportunity FE teaching presents in preparing the next pipeline of talent for industry. Two thirds (68%) say teaching in FE would appeal to them and 95% of the respondents already had the industry experience FE colleges are looking for.

Ros spoke to TV psychologist Honey Langcaster-James.

Photo by Glenn Carstens Peter on Unsplash