How to transform ‘You’re Fired’ to ‘You’re Hired’: Brits walk away from Sir Alan’s boardroom

02/06/2009 17:09:00

As a new survey shows over two-thirds of UK adults have reassessed their career values because of the recession, Sir Alan’s former Apprentice Lucinda Legerwood is embarking on life after the boardroom as she shuns the rat race to take up a two-year placement as a VSO volunteer.

As ‘The Apprentice’ draws to a close, hooked viewers are on the edge of their seats, in anticipation of the climax to the ‘job interview from hell’. The hired apprentice can now enjoy their six-figure salary - but how many Brits would really like to aspire to The Apprentice lifestyle?

New research suggests a growing percentage of Brits would not be as happy chasing a place at the boardroom as Sir Alan may think. According to a new survey by leading international development charity, VSO (Voluntary Service Overseas) 6-in-10 Brits would not stay in a job if it impacted on their personal happiness.

One such Brit to walk away from the boardroom is former Apprentice favourite, beret-wearing Lucinda Ledgerwood. Lucinda has turned around Sir Alan’s ‘You’re Fired’, to ‘You’re Hired’ by taking her impressive CV of skills and management experience with her as she embarks on a two-year placement in India with VSO.

Since 1958 VSO have been sending a diverse range of professional volunteers to fight global poverty by sharing their skills and experience with people in developing countries. Lucinda’s placement will be working as an organisational development adviser for Pravah, a New Delhi based organisation working towards better social justice through youth action. Her work will include developing strategic planning, reviewing organisational structures, strengthening HR processes and internal staff development.

Lucinda, an accomplished management consultant, is one of over two-thirds of UK adults (8% more men than women) who have reassessed their career values because of the recession. As the recession continues to bite, Brits are increasingly turning to voluntary work, whether at home or overseas, as a way of furthering their professional development, with over a third of Brits saying that learning on the job is as important as earning on the job.

Well respected for her belief that, “you don’t have to be a bitch in business to succeed”, Edinburgh based Lucinda said:

“I am looking forward to my placement with VSO giving my career a renewed energy and focus. With so few opportunities out there right now it seemed a shame to stop doing what I do best. VSO was the ideal opportunity to gain a new perspective on the business world within a community that is on the brink of progress and change.”

Survey Results

The research for VSO was carried out online by Tickbox.net/Opinion Matters between 22 / 05 / 2009 and 26 / 05 / 2009 amongst a nationally representative sample of 1,008 UK consumers / 600 workers aged 16+. Tickbox.net adheres to and follows the codes of the MRS (Market Research Society) and is fully registered and compliant with the Data Protection Registrar.

National

• 69% have reassessed their values since the recession
• 20% are willing to accept new challenges
• 61% would not choose a career solely for financial reasons
• 59% would not stay in a job if it impacted on personal happiness

London

• 73% have reassessed their values since the recession [highest in UK]
• 32% are willing to accept new challenges [highest in UK]
• 57% would not choose a career solely for financial reasons
• 57% would not stay in a job if it impacted on personal happiness

Scotland

• 60% have reassessed their values since the recession [lowest in UK]
• 15% are willing to accept new challenges [lowest in UK]
• 63% would not choose a career solely for financial reasons
• 63% would not stay in a job if it impacted on personal happiness

South East

• 63% have reassessed their values since the recession
• 17% are willing to accept new challenges 68% would not choose a career solely for financial reasons [highest in UK]
• 55% would not stay in a job if it impacted on personal happiness

Wales

• 70% have reassessed their values since the recession
• 20% are willing to accept new challenges
• 58% would not choose a career solely for financial reasons
• 68% would not stay in a job if it impacted on personal happiness

NB: More regional data from across the UK is available on request.

Editor's notes

VSO is an international development charity that works through volunteers. Since 1958 over 42, 000 volunteers have worked in over 120 countries. Today there are over 1600 international volunteers working in 44 countries around the world.

VSO needs to raise £10million each year in the UK in order to continue its vital work: working through volunteers to fight poverty in some of the world's poorest communities.

VSO recruits volunteers from a wide range of professional backgrounds. The strongest need is for experienced managers, professionals with experience of working in primary education, and doctors and midwives. VSO can use financial professionals where they have strong planning or management expertise.

VSO provides volunteers with flights, accommodation, and an allowance to cover basic costs. UK public sector professionals volunteering for between six months and two years are entitled to claim pension contributions providing they return to the public sector for a minimum of six months on their return to the UK.