5 career stories you need to hear this week | State pensions, apprenticeships and AI

In this week's episode, we're breaking down five stories every student, graduate and early-career professional should know about: 

• What new research says about GCSEs and future earnings and why your results don't define you.
• Could new government proposals create more apprenticeships and work placements.
• Why one of the world's biggest car manufacturers found that AI can't replace human experience.
• What a ‘returnship’ is, and why it could become an important route back into work.
• Why around half of Gen Z don't expect to receive a state pension and what that could mean for your financial future.

Find out more on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/5-stories-know-week-july-3rd-prospects-study-tips-and-careers-a-fozse/ 

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Episode Transcript

(00:00):
Hello and welcome back to Future You.
The podcast brought to youby graduate careers experts prospects.
Every Friday, we're going to bring youfive stories that are shaping
the future of careers, educationand work in the UK.
Hot off the pressand just what students, graduates
and job seekersneed to be paying attention to.
Story one do your GCSEsreally affect your future?

(00:24):
Let's kick things off with GCSEs.
New research has found that on average,people who get higher GCSE
grades tend to earn moreby the time they're in their late 20s.
Now, before anyone starts panickingbecause results day is coming up,
or because your GCSEs didn't quitego to plan.
There's a really important catch.

(00:45):
GCSEs are only part of the story.
The research also shows that what you doafter your
GCSEs can make just as much difference.
Whether you go to sixth formcollege, university,
do an apprenticeshipor another route entirely.
Those choices have a huge impacton where you end up.
So yes, your GCSEs matter, butthey definitely don't define your future.

(01:10):
And if you are panicking about your GCSEresults,
we've just dropped an episodeall about clearing how it works,
what to do and how it can potentially helpyou and your future.
Story two more apprenticeshipscould be on the way.
There are new proposals that could meancompanies winning government contracts
would have to create more apprenticeshipsand work experience opportunities.

(01:32):
The idea is pretty simple if businessesare benefiting from public money,
they should also be helping young peoplegain skills and get into work.
Nothing has been confirmed yet,but if these plans do go ahead, it could
create more opportunities for peoplewho want to earn while they learn.
Instead of going down
the traditional university route, it'sdefinitely one to keep an eye on.

(01:54):
If you're weighing up your optionsafter school or college.
Story three AI isn't replacing everyone,after all.
Let's talk about AI.
It feels like every week there's anotherheadline saying AI is taking over jobs.
But this week,we're telling a slightly different story.
Ford introduced AI to carry outquality checks in its factories,

(02:16):
but the problem was it wasn't as goodas experienced engineers.
So the company actually brought hundredsof engineers
back to work alongside the AI.
That's a really important reminder.
AI is brilliant at processing informationquickly, but it still struggles
with judgment, experience,and solving problems in the real world.

(02:38):
So instead of worrying
that AI is going to replace everyone,it might be more useful to think
about how you can develop the skillsthat AI can't easily copy.
Things like communication, criticalthinking, creativity,
and practical experienceare still incredibly valuable.
Story for ever heard of a return ship?

(03:00):
Me neither.
But it's definitely worth knowing about.
If someone takes time away from work,maybe
to care for family for health reasons,or just because life happens.
Getting back into employmentisn't always easy.
That's where something calleda return ship comes in.
Think of it as an internship,for experienced professionals returning

(03:20):
after a career break,they usually include training, mentoring
and paid work experienceand many leap to permanent jobs.
It's a reminder that careers aren'talways one straight line.
People change direction. Take breaks.
Start again all the time,and that's becoming much more normal.
And story five.
Half of GenZ don't think they'll get a state pension.

(03:43):
I know not exactly the most exciting topicwhen you're in your teens or 20s,
but hear me out.
A recent report found that aroundhalf of Gen Z don't believe
there'll be a state pensionby the time they retire.
Whether that's true or not.
It's changinghow young people think about money.
More people are starting to save earlier,paying attention

(04:05):
to workplace pensionsand thinking about their long
term financesmuch sooner than previous generations.
Now, no one's expecting youto have your retirement planned at 21,
but understandinghow pensions work and building good money
habitsearly can make a huge difference later on.
Future.
You will probably be pretty grateful.

(04:26):
So as always, remember you don't needto have your entire career mapped out.
Just keep learning, stay curious, and takeopportunities when they come your way.
Thank you so much for listening.
If you found this episode useful,make sure you're following the podcast
and I'll be back next week withfive more career stories you need to know.