A question of class?
15 Apr 09
A Government study on social inclusiveness has found that, if anything, through the last few decades the professions have become even more the preserve of those from relatively well-off families.
The Panel on Fair Access to the Professions, led by Alan Milburn MP, says that bright children from average income families, not just those from more disadvantaged backgrounds, are missing out on a professional career, including accountancy.
While only 7 per cent of the population attended independent schools, more than half of those in occupations such as law and finance are drawn from that social group.
It’s a shame that the professions seem to have become even less inclusive, although these figures may reflect past rather than current trend. For example, if the professions are opening up it will take time to show this in the figures.
The really interesting question, which the stats won’t answer, is why? Are employers such as accountancy firms excluding people from humble backgrounds? Are their educational qualifications just not good enough? Or is the problem subjective – they simply think, “this is not for me” and do not even apply in the first place. If it’s the latter, there is a hope that getting the message across to school students could encourage more to see the professions as an option.