Teachers 'least bored' in their jobs

Graduates who choose a career in teaching are the least likely to be bored by their jobs, according to a new survey.

The first 'Workforce Boredom Index', produced by the Training and Development Agency for Schools, questioned more than 2,000 graduates aged between 21 and 45.

The survey found that half of graduates working in a range of professions are regularly bored at work, with those in administration, manufacturing, sales and marketing the most likely to be frustrated.

Around 61% of employees surveyed said that they were bored mainly because of the lack of challenge in their jobs, while 60% said that not using their skills or knowledge made life tedious.

Around half of those surveyed said that the boredom of doing the same things every day was to blame.

However, the research found that teachers were the least likely to be bored with their job. Around 81% of teachers questioned said that their job was interesting because of the challenge of the role and the fact that no two days were the same.

The opportunity to interact with other people was also cited as a positive feature of their job by 86% of respondents, while 64% also welcomed the opportunity to use their creativity.

Michael Day, Executive Director at the TDA, said: "These findings demonstrate that one of the chief benefits of teaching is the sheer variety of the job - that no two days are the same. It's never too late to make a career switch, and there are now many ways you can train to teach to match your personal circumstances, as well as new financial support.

"There's a particular need for more people to train to teach maths and science and there are still places available on courses starting this September. I'd encourage graduates who are bored in their jobs, particularly those with maths and science related degrees, to take another look at the day-to-day and financial rewards in teaching."

(KMcA/SP)