Britain is still some way off closing the skills gap, with children choosing cool careers rather than skilled trades, according to new research from school careers information service b-live.com.

The survey showed children are well motivated and well intentioned, but do not make the best choices. It finds that media influences are distorting their career aspirations in favour of high profile jobs, such as becoming an actor and sportsman. 

It found that 78% of children listed good pay as their principal motivator; capitalising on their skills was the second most important factor influencing their choice of career. Boys were more interested in money than girls. 

Tanja Kuveljic, managing director of b-live.com, says: “The entertainment industry is exerting a huge influence on young people in subtler ways; so much so that it is distorting the choices they are making to prepare themselves for working life.  There is a strong preference for jobs which receive a high profile on television and in films – doctors, vets, paramedics, lawyers, policemen and chefs. Less glamorous jobs and those which are poorly paid are ignored. But young people are also acutely aware of the need to acquire the right skills. The difficulty for them is in identifying early enough what those might be.”

The research found that two-fifths of 16 year olds admit they don’t have any idea what they want to do career-wise or don’t know how to find information. Less than half of 16 year olds use their school careers centre and find it helpful.