Valuing Careers research

About the research

The CDI commissioned YouGov to conduct a survey of 5,004 UK working-age adults who are currently in work, unemployed or economically inactive. We measured:

• Career attitudes, experiences and challenges
• Ways people are managing their careers
• Peoples’ relationship with career support and careers guidance
• Indicators of the value of career guidance in the past
• Indicators of the potential and future value of career guidance
• Barriers to using career guidance. 

This data allowed us to quantify the high-level challenges for the sector to support more people and make a bigger impact, offering evidence for policy makers and decision-makers in organisations in the career sector. 

We are also grateful to the experts who reviewed the findings and recommendations at a roundtable discussion.

Data available for researchers

The CDI commissioned the YouGov survey to gather insight to inform the Valuing Careers campaign and identify the untapped potential that a greater investment in career development can release among the UK population. We are also aware that the survey provides a rich source of data that others may wish to analyse further or use to support wider studies.

The CDI is therefore offering to share the survey results with other researchers in career development, for no charge, to help inform and add to the knowledge base of the profession. All we ask is that where the data is used, the CDI is appropriately credited and linked to.

To request access to the research data, please contact CDI Research Manager Stephen Plimmer at [email protected].