Gen Z are seemingly losing sleep over their futures, according to new research commissioned by Barratt Redrow to mark the recent UK National Apprenticeship Week 2026 (where the aim is to highlight the value of apprenticeships for individuals, employers, and the wider economy). The company surveyed 2,000 young people aged 13-28 to gather insight into Gen Z attitudes towards skilled careers.
Gen Z in this research refers to ages 13-28; whereas ‘teenagers’ refers to the 13-19, as a population subset within the Gen Z category.
National Apprenticeship Week 2026 – a week-long celebration of apprenticeships – took place from 9th to 15th February in the UK. A similar event runs 26th April to 2nd May in the U.S.
It was found, from the survey, that more than a quarter (27%) of Gen Z cite choosing the right career as what worries them most about their future, matched equally by concerns about being able to buy a home (27%). Other worries which feature are about getting or finding a job (24%) as well as the prevalent threat of AI or automation taking jobs (16%). Each of these factors serves to compound their anxieties.
An apprenticeship is a formal training arrangement that combines on-the-job experience with study, leading to a qualification in a trade or occupation. For many young people, it offers an alternative career path to going to college or university.
In response to these threats, nearly half of Gen Z (48%) say they are likely to choose an apprenticeship over university, driven by the opportunity to gain hands-on experience (40%), earn money from day one (37%) and avoid student debt (29%).
A further leading metric for understanding the employment focus amongst this demographic is where 46% of Gen Z say the most aspirational job type is a skilled trade, while, in contrast, 40% of teenagers believe trade jobs will earn more than office jobs by 2030. Among teenagers, nearly half (48%) say concerns about AI and automation have made office-based jobs less appealing.
Good pay is the highest career priority
When asked what matters most in a future career, Gen Z prioritise good pay (46%), followed by work-life balance (35%), feeling proud of what they do (30%) and job security (24%). Status or job title ranks low at just 8%.
Whereas among teenagers (aged 13-19), these priorities intensify. Half of teenagers (50%) say good pay is the most important factor when thinking about their future career, followed by work-life balance (37%), feeling proud of what they do (33%) and job security (27%).
Following this, nearly two-thirds of teenagers (65%) say being able to afford a home matters more than having a high-status job title, while more than a quarter (28%) say earning enough to buy a home is one of their biggest worries about the future.
Apprenticeships as a solution
Nearly half of Gen Z (48%) say they are likely to choose an apprenticeship over university, driven by the opportunity to gain hands-on experience (40%), earn money from day one (37%) and avoid student debt (29%).
Plus, 46% of Gen Z say the most aspirational job type is a skilled trade, while 40% of teenagers believe trade jobs will earn more than office jobs by 2030. This marks a shift from three years ago, when 68% of 16-24s reported a stigma around apprenticeships compared with higher education.
Among teenagers, nearly half (48%) say concerns about AI and automation have made office-based jobs less appealing.
To help support more young people, Barratt Redrow is announcing 207 new apprenticeship vacancies as part of National Apprenticeship Week 2026.
