IRELAND, AUGUST 2020: Alison.com, one of the world’s largest free online learning platforms for education and skills training, releases findings from independent consumer research looking into UK residents’ attitudes towards employment and education as a result of the Coronavirus crisis. 

The data reveals Brits are fearing for their futures. Over half (51%) admit they are scared about their career and financial stability and 57% are worried about being unemployed. 

UK job centre claimants have risen 126% to 2.8million since the start of lockdown. The economic fall-out from the pandemic has left nearly 60% of UK adults concerned that job hunting will be extremely competitive following lockdown. More than one-in-ten (13%) admit they are turning to ‘the bank of mum and dad’ for living expenses – 9% of which are doing so to further their education.

Over one-third (37%) admit the crisis has made them change their life plans. The closure of schools and the increased adoption of online classes has resulted in a quarter (25%) shifting their views on traditional education. Almost three-quarters (74%) say they are now more likely to consider online learning than they were a year ago.

Nearly a quarter of us (24%) also admit to considering a career change because of the crisis. Respondents who are actively looking to retrain are least likely to opt for a full-time traditional education such as a university degree or college qualification. Instead, 40% are most likely to study with a part-time college or night school and just over one-third (36%) will turn to an online learning programme.

Mike Feerick, CEO and Founder of Alison on the findings:

“Our research highlights the appetite for online learning is bigger than ever before. Lockdown has proven we can work and learn effectively at home. 60% of Brits do not regard a University degree to be as important as people have traditionally thought it was. It is crucial to make everybody, regardless of age or academic achievement, more aware of the free resources already used by millions across the UK to upskill, for getting a new job, career progression, and also career security. We provide learning globally at no cost to the student - a very important fact, particularly for young people starting out in life without the resources to invest in education or without the motivation to get into significant debt to traditional colleges for what they can learn for free.”

ENDS

For further information please contact the Alison.com PR Team email: [email protected].