A career rethink is on the cards for millions of UK workers – but outdated perceptions, poor guidance, and a misplaced fear of starting over are trapping them in roles they no longer find fulfilling. According to new research by Nottingham Trent University (NTU), almost half of UK employees have considered changing jobs in the last 12 months. Yet 43% feel too afraid to take the leap, with fears around finances, age, and skillset acting as major blockers.

The problem is particularly acute among millennials. Despite being viewed as career-hoppers, 4 in 10 say they feel “too old” to retrain – a belief echoed by 1 in 3 workers across all age groups who say they’ve “missed their chance” to make a meaningful change. In fact, for many, staying put is not a preference but a resignation. Seven in ten men believe they’ll be stuck in their current job until retirement.

“This data reveals a workforce in limbo,” said David Drury Degree Apprenticeships Manager at Nottingham Trent University. “There’s a hunger for purpose and progress – but many don’t know where to turn, and myths about apprenticeships are cutting off viable routes forward.”

The Workplace Satisfaction Divide

While employees in sectors such as engineering, pharma and research report relative satisfaction, others are facing a crisis of morale. Staff in media, publishing and policing are among the most disillusioned, with one in three actively thinking about quitting their job this month alone.

NTU’s survey of 2,000 UK workers and SME employers shows that career support is worryingly lacking: three in ten employees have never received any career advice from their employer, and one in five say they feel completely unsupported in terms of progression.

And yet, the solution may be simpler than many realise. Two-thirds of workers say they’d stay with their current employer if their boss simply invested in their development. In this context, the apprenticeship model – long associated with school leavers and manual trades – may be one of the most underused levers in HR’s toolbox.

Myths Undermine a Modern Model

Despite growing availability of degree-level and adult apprenticeships, stubborn myths continue to cloud public perception. While 45% of workers say they’d consider doing an apprenticeship to retrain or climb the ladder, many are deterred by outdated views.

A quarter wrongly believe apprenticeships mean taking a substantial pay cut. A third still think apprenticeships are only for manual or low-skilled jobs. And nearly one in five incorrectly believe there’s an upper age limit for joining – with 15% assuming they’re only available to 16–25 year olds.

The reality could not be more different. National data shows that the average age of an apprentice in England is now between 36 and 41. Programmes are available across sectors as diverse as law, healthcare, teaching, civil engineering and data analytics – many of them leading to full degrees without the debt typically associated with traditional university routes.

“Adults in their 30s, 40s and 50s are ideal candidates,” says Drury.  “They bring life experience, professional maturity, and deep motivation. Apprenticeships are not about starting over – they’re about moving forward.”

Employer Misconceptions Proving Costly

The confusion isn’t limited to workers. Many SME employers are equally unaware of how modern apprenticeships work – or what they can deliver.

Four in ten SME owners still believe apprenticeships are only suited to manual trades such as plumbing and carpentry. A fifth worry that apprentices lack employability skills, and 12% say they struggle to get senior leadership to support the concept.

Even among those interested in the model, implementation remains a challenge. One-third of employers who’ve never hired an apprentice say they’re put off by perceived start-up costs, while the same number admit the funding system is too complex to navigate.

But where businesses do engage, the outcomes are clear. Seventy-three percent of employers who’ve taken on apprentices report a significant productivity boost, while 53% say apprenticeships have helped attract and retain top talent. Four in ten say they’ve closed long-standing skills gaps, and more than half believe apprentices are a better cultural fit than traditional recruits.

A System Built for Second Chances

Stories like that of Ben Taylor, 49, showcase what’s possible when outdated thinking is replaced with opportunity.

For Ben , going through the degree apprenticeship in social work has allowed him to progress into a new career within his existing workplace.

“After many years of being a support worker, I saw an apprenticeship opportunity and thought, why not?” Ben says.

“I’d worked alongside social workers for years, and the apprenticeship gave me the chance to formalise my experience, build confidence and plan a real career path.”

Today, Ben is halfway through his training thanks to NTU’s social work apprenticeship programme.

“These programmes are designed for real life,” said Drury. “You can retrain while working. You can gain a degree while earning. You don’t have to start from scratch.”

And yet, one in ten Brits still believe academic degrees automatically trump hands-on experience – a belief held even as over half of the workforce are unaware they can now achieve both through an apprenticeship.

Time to Rethink What ‘Progression’ Looks Like

In a tight labour market, where both talent and loyalty are in short supply, apprenticeships are no longer a “nice to have” – they are a strategic imperative. They offer a direct route to development, enhance retention, and align employee ambitions with employer needs.

“There’s a huge disconnect between perception and reality,” concludes Drury.

“We need to reframe apprenticeships not as a fallback, but as a high-value, flexible route to career change and progression. For those feeling stuck or unmotivated, the message is simple: there is a way forward.”

Top Roles You Can Now Train For via Degree-Level Apprenticeships

• Solicitor
• Nurse
• Biomedical Scientist
• Civil Engineer
• Construction Site Manager
• Digital Marketer
• Teacher
• Aerospace Engineer
• Data Analyst
• Environmental Health Officer

https://www.ntu.ac.uk/study-and-courses/apprenticeships/apprenticeships