City & guilds' career happiness index 2012 reveals uk's happiest workers

Of the 2,2000 workers surveyed, hairdressers once again come out as a fairly satisfied group with 59% revealing that they feel recognised and appreciated and 61% claiming that they feel their work is worthwhile and useful.

On top of this, hairdressers come out as the second happiest group of workers overall just behind florists and gardeners. Skills-based employees generally (65%) are content in their work with 68% claiming to be proud of their job.

The findings are released to mark The Skills Show 2012, of which City & Guilds is premier sponsor. The Skills Show is the UK's biggest skills and careers event which is taking place at the Birmingham NEC from 15 - 17 November. The event will give young people the chance to have a go at a variety of different skills, and help them to choose the most satisfying career path for them.  

Nick Bradley, Group Director at City & Guilds said: "At a time when both happiness and employment are high on the Government agenda, we wanted to link the two areas and look into what affects levels of happiness at work and in life. 

"Most people spend half of their time working, so we wanted to find out what makes people happy and how that differs by job role. It's particularly interesting to see that those who have taken the vocational route are happiest and feel the most pride in their work; there's certainly something to be said from learning specific skills and working your way up the career ladder."