It’s no secret that, thanks to the global
Coronavirus pandemic, a *lot* of people are struggling for work right now.
In the
UK, many industries – especially those that rely on big groups of people coming together – are in serious trouble.
It’s been estimated that there could be 450,000 redundancies in the next few months alone.
On Tuesday, chancellor Rishi Sunak suggested that some people whose work had been affected by Covid should consider “fresh and new opportunities”.
Asked in an interview with ITV News what musicians, actors and artists – who have been heavily affected by social distancing and lockdown rules – Sunak said: “In all walks of life everyone is having to adapt.
“I can’t pretend that everyone can do exactly the same
Job they were doing at the beginning of this crisis.”What's Rishi Sunak's message to musicians, actors, freelancers in the arts who don't feel govt is supporting them? Should they get a different job?The Chancellor told me it's "not right that there's no work available...and everyone is having to adapt." @ITVNewsPoliticspic.twitter.com/ewrQixpAne— Daniel Hewitt (@DanielHewittITV) October 6, 2020It’s an answer that sparked a backlash among a number of high profile creatives – including Liam Gallagher, former Great
British Bake Off host Sue Perkins and author Ian Rankin.
But others, curious about their future job prospects, have turned to the government’s National Careers Service skills assessment.
The quiz gives suggestions of which fields – and specific jobs – people may suit based on a series of questions such as: “Are you able to control your emotions even in difficult situations?”
Participants are also asked if they agree or disagree with statements like “I set myself goals in life”.
Other statements include: “I am comfortable telling people what they need to do” and “I prefer to follow what other people are doing”.
The assessment hasn’t helped everyone as much as they were hoping.So I've just completed the government's skills assessment as a bit of fun. I answered everything honestly:https://t.co/HB0ZxuRRqzThe outcome? It suggests I should be a sports professional or a boxer.So it's about as useful as a Buzzfeed quiz then.@robinHEG@Chris_Bunnpic.twitter.com/uyJMgEY0qL— Michael Viggars (@MichaelViggars) October 6, 2020Thanks to https://t.co/Yb6GOzFoTQ I realise I have picked the wrong career and should become either an Actor, a Newspaper Editor or a Civil Engineer. Let me know if you need a newspaper editor or if casting a movie. Would consider TV. No am-dram.Free most evenings & weekends.— Iain Collins (@iaincollins) October 7, 2020I went to see what the government thought I should retrain as and 🙃 pic.twitter.com/E1wC8R039F— RafaellaAAAAAAAARGH 🕸⚰️ (@RafaellaMarcus) October 7, 2020I see the government has branched out into buzzfeed personality tests. I got:
Actor / Sports Professional / Boxer /
Football Referee. What did you get? https://t.co/aEwcHaYmCWpic.twitter.com/hLMwjNdfkc— Katie Witchard 🧟♀️ twitch.tv/katietwitchard (@katiepritchards) October 7, 2020can't wait to start my new life in manufacturing https://t.co/0PlYE3FHPCpic.twitter.com/ULlUJiVd1h— Emily Holyoake (@princecolin) October 7, 2020Here’s the quiz thing where the government tells you what career you should retain as. Basically it’s BABYSITTER OR BRAMBLE PICKER https://t.co/7Q8AhWq1akpic.twitter.com/aNd2iZPWXj— hanna hanra (@HannaHanra) October 7, 2020Lol. Guess I should retrain as what I already have trained as, and am. Any thoughts @NationalCareers ? pic.twitter.com/aRGYZu7FtT— Joseph Hardy (@Joseph__Hardy) October 7, 2020So do I still need to retrain or...? My theatre job and my other job🙃🙃🙃 pic.twitter.com/4qKsJzBFST— Carys Wright (@wright_carys) October 7, 2020so the government have released a beta website telling ppl in the arts what they could retrain as (https://t.co/zIQiMixBpB) and this is what I got. a boxer? in this economy? in this age of tyson fury and anthony joshua? me????? @BorisJohnson thank u!!! pic.twitter.com/KDVl9logs2— ryan bassil (@ryanbassil) October 7, 2020Decided to do that skills quiz that the Government posted because, you know, I need to retrain. (https://t.co/TKDXCxXzHz)These are my top 3 jobs. Sports agent I can understand, but, a holiday rep?! Me?!?!? pic.twitter.com/eeBILG8kZE— hayley (@hayleywhispers) October 7, 2020Maybe whoever designed the quiz questions should consider retraining as a comedian.Related...
Liam Gallagher Brands Rishi Sunak A C*** For Suggesting Covid-Hit Musicians Can Retrain
Alcohol Banned Indoors In Scottish Pubs And Restaurants For Two Weeks