Intelligence systems are rapidly reshaping the workspace.

Have you spotted the Gen Z stare? (Picture: Getty/Metro)

Every now and then, TikTok coins a term for something you never even realised you’d noticed. This week, it’s the ‘Gen Z stare’.

I can’t pinpoint exactly when I first noticed twentys…

Have you spotted the Gen Z stare? (Picture: Getty/Metro)

Every now and then, TikTok coins a term for something you never even realised you’d noticed. This week, it’s the ‘Gen Z stare’.

I can’t pinpoint exactly when I first noticed twentys…

Over 11 million ‘fit notes’ issued by the NHS last year – Metro explores why.

Don’t handle it like tennis pro Sabalenka, who lost

‘Meaningful’ doesn’t always equal fulfilling when it comes to careers.

‘Meaningful’ doesn’t always equal fulfilling when it comes to careers.

It’s not just about wages, but how far they go.

Spoiler: It’s a lot.

Sex really pays…

My life in the city is non-stop. I wouldn’t change it for the world, but sometimes, I want to escape.

‘Vulnerability takes courage.’

At 15, Simon Squibb’s dad died suddenly, leaving him homeless, out of school and unable to find work. Then, he had a brainwave that turned his life around.

‘I was so desperate to get out of this situation I was in,’ he tells Metro.

‘I walked past a big house that had a really messy garden, and thought maybe they’d pay me to tidy it a bit. So I knocked on the door saying I had a gardening company (which I didn’t) and amazingly, the guy who answered was like “alright, how much?”.

‘I just picked a number out of thin air – £200 pounds a month. Then he shook my hand and that was my first ever deal. Suddenly I was a gardener with a gardening contract.’

Fast forward three decades and that same entrepreneurial mindset has made him a millionaire, with 19 companies under his belt alongside a bestselling book, What’s Your Dream?

You may know Simon from social media, where his brand of gonzo-style angel investing has earned him an army of loyal fans (who he calls dreamers).

After selling his businesses and retiring at 40 in the midst of Covid, Simon noticed a growing desire for people to become their own bosses, and embarked on a mission to help wannabe entrepreneurs do exactly that.

He now spends his days asking strangers what they’d do if there was nothing standing in their way, and has invested in over 60 firms as a result of their answers, from fintech to food delivery.

But it’s not as simplistic as ‘if you can dream it, you can do it’. And while the 51-year-old argues that everyone – regardless of background or qualifications – has it in them to be successful, they need the right outlook and support to get there.

He explains: ‘I want people to know that it’s possible, if they have a purpose or a mission or a hobby, there is a way to put it into a business context and make money by doing what you love. I want education around that.

‘If I had my way. I’d change all the Job Centres to Dream Centres, and give people the entrepreneurial skills I’m talking about. Then you could get a job, but on top of that, start a company and be your own boss. And why shouldn’t we give people that power?’

In his view, one of the biggest obstacles is the idea that the business world is only for a select few. In a recent study, Shopify found that 61% of Brits want to start their own company, yet the majority are held back by a lack of confidence in their abilities.

However, Simon’s own experiences have led him to believe the opposite; that adversity actually helps people thrive.

‘The people that succeed don’t just want it, they need it,’ he says. ‘Personally, I’ve been most excited when I had no money; I was broke, I was homeless, I had nowhere stable to sleep, so if I knocked on a door and got told to f*** off, I had nothing to lose.’

You may be reading this thinking ‘my plate’s too full already’, either with family responsibilities, a job you can’t afford to leave, or a lack of connections. According to Simon though, you can still build a flourishing side hustle – one that may even become your main gig. You just need to keep these eight things in mind.

Follow your skillset

In terms of the idea itself, forget what’s lucrative or will make the most money. Instead, Simon recommends building on your own strengths

‘Whatever you’re really good at, get great at it.’ he says. ‘In school, they’ll tell you that if you get a D in biology, you need to do more biology. But I’m saying don’t do more biology if you’re brilliant at public speaking or sports.’

It has to be about passion too, with Simon advising ‘dreamers’ to ‘match [their] hobby to their income’ – like the one he helped who turned his love of supercars into a popular (and profitable) social media brand.

Solve a problem

Your route to the C-suite may also be through spotting a problem and solving it.

Aged 19 and working at a hotel after his landscaping venture shut up shop, Simon realised they were missing a trick by turning people away if they were full. Instead of hanging up when there was no room at the inn, he got nearby hotels to give them a commission for each customer they passed along – and from that germ of an idea came his second company, Accommodation Express.

If you aren’t sure what to do, think of the little issues you or your loved ones face day-to-day, and start from there.

Be patient

For those of us used to a standard 9-to-5, it can be difficult to self-motivate or be the sole decision maker – vital skills if you’re running a business.

‘Frankly, working for yourself is hard,’ says Simon. ‘And being an entrepreneur is especially hard at the beginning because it’s a huge learning curve.’

Over time, this new role will become natural to you. You just need to stay the course and keep your eyes on the prize.

Fake it ’til you make it

When Simon walked up to that door as a down on his luck teenager, he was fuelled by that aforementioned survival instinct. The fact he didn’t know anything about landscaping was an afterthought – something to be dealt with once he’d landed the client.

In that moment, he was terrified, but he sees fear as an ‘asset, not a liability’, explaining: ‘Fear was designed to help us: you prep more, you push more, you fight, and it’s actually a superpower.’

It may be easier said than done, but once you grip the nettle and step out of your comfort zone, you’ll start to enjoy the adrenaline rush. Just ensure you actually make good on your promises.

Embrace failure

‘The school system tells you if you get an answer wrong you’re a failure,’ says Simon. ‘But look at Edison’s lightbulb, it failed 99 times before it worked. So you need those 99 times.’

The entrepreneur recommends looking at failure as a chance to grow, while using your wins to galvanise you when times get hard.

He recalls: ‘The first person that opened the door that time I started the gardening firm said yes, then the second, third, fourth and fifth person all said no to me. But because I had one, I knew it could work – and sometimes we need to remember that.

‘Then that business failed. But here’s the thing: before it failed, I made loads of money, I learned how to sell, to do contract structures, to rent equipment and do lease agreements. That’s learning you couldn’t take away from me.’

Build it into your life

Even if you’ve got past these mental blocks, life can still get in the way of being an entrepreneur. So when time is your main constraint, Simon has one main piece of advice: prioritise work/life integration over work/life balance.

In his case, that means bringing his seven-year-old son along to help him shoot and edit content, but it could translate to a variety of other businesses.

‘If you’re making candles or whatever, get your kids involved in the business,’ continues Simon. ‘When you’re doing something that’s important to you, you find the time.’

Keep it simple

While many of the people Simon chats to worry about the logistical side of business ownership, he subscribes to the ‘keep it simple’ way of thinking.

In one example of a mum whose journalling company he invested in: she had a great idea but logistical knowledge around manufacturing, so she checked major retailers’ websites to find out their suppliers, then called them and went from there.

‘Figure it out,’ says Simon. ‘Some doors you pull, some you push – don’t make it more complicated than it needs to be.’

Make yourself futureproof

Sustainability should be the goal of any business owner, so you need to plan ahead. If you don’t, you may find it’s still a slog even years down the line.

Simon explains: ‘It could be that you’re doing it all yourself and you should have brought someone in to help, like a good partner. I see people make that mistake all the time.

‘Others get too greedy, and when they make money they put it straight in their pocket. It’s vital to invest in a good team.’

Do you have a story to share?

Get in touch by emailing MetroLifestyleTeam@Metro.co.uk.

Over the last 10 years, Moses has taken on 20 short-term IT contracts as he struggles to maintain permanent work (Picture: Owner supplied)

Nobody enjoys applying for new roles, but for Londoner Moses Tai, life is one long job interview.

T…

Isabelle Pennington-Edmead, 28, runs her own ethical slow-fashion business with
a collection also stocked online at ASOS.

Orders from her website are made on demand to prevent wastage and aim to reflect childhood memories and femininity as well as inspiration drawn from her mixed Caribbean and British heritage.

Here, she explains how she’s made her journey from textiles-obsessed teen to successful entrepreneur, with the help of mentors and a lot of learning along the way.

What got you into the clothes design business?

It is quite a cliché, but clothes design and running my own business has always been something I wanted to do.

I’ve got sketchbooks from when I was younger where I designed what I wanted my brand to be, with logo designs and stuff. But I don’t come from a family of entrepreneurs. Everyone in my family works in the public sector, like teachers, doctors or the NHS.

That makes it hard. When you go to state school, you don’t have the connections you might at other places, or the advice. So when I’m struggling with something, I might go to a family member and say, ‘I don’t know what to do about this’, but they don’t understand.

How did you get started?

I did textiles at school and then studied fashion design at university, and then did a master’s in textiles for fashion.

After my master’s, I applied for a grad scheme with Yoox Net-A-Porter – a cooperation with the King’s Foundation educational charity. I was working on creating a sustainable collection for their private label.

I’m from Manchester, and when I finished at Yoox, I decided I wanted to move back to the north-west, but a lot of the clothes industry there was fast fashion.

So I decided to just start my own brand, because I’d learned quite a lot about small-batch production. That’s when I thought I could give it a go, starting my own slow-fashion label that reflects my mixed Caribbean, Kittitian, and British heritage.

How’s the journey going?

I’d say the challenge has been scaling. I’ve had to deal with things like Brexit. I didn’t know about importing and exporting. That was a big hurdle – navigating the production and pricing and logistics, and having to negotiate with factories.

I think it can be quite difficult, especially as a young woman, to make sure that you’re getting the right prices and being taken seriously.

You now have a collection for sale at ASOS. Did that feel like a milestone?

ASOS was a big, brilliant experience. It started in March 24 and there was a lot to learn with scaling up to that size. Everything that’s available 
to buy on ASOS from my brand is made in factories in the UK. I’m using a factory in London that’s Drapers Award-winning, so I know it’s a sustainable factory.

I’ve also got orders being stocked in small boutiques, I’ve got an order going to Bermuda at the moment, and I’ve got other collections to pitch to other sources, hopefully.

My next goal is to make the
business even more sustainable. I don’t think any fashion business can be 100 per cent sustainable, so it’s just about trying your best and putting the effort in.

A big goal for me would be to become a B Corp, which shows my business is meeting high standards.

How did you get involved with the Black British Initiative (BBI) and how has it helped you?

I met BBI CEO Darren Miller at a Windrush anniversary event. I got chatting to him and told him about my business, and he told me about the initiative.

I really liked the look of what they were doing, because coming from a creative background I don’t have any formal education in business. So even though I wanted to have a business, sometimes I felt an imposter syndrome around it, with not actually having formal education in it.

Darren has put me in touch with some great people, such as Andrew Xeni from resposible fashion brand Nobody’s Child. Having mentors has been a game-changer for me, so these connections have been so important.

What have you learned that you’d like to pass on to others if they’d also like to make a business a success?

I’d say, define your brand and do the market research. That’s very important – writing out a business plan and covering every aspect. Customers like it when there’s a story behind the product, and they can really be involved in that.

Also, try to stand your ground when you are negotiating. I sometimes deal with people on email a bit before first, just so they don’t make assumptions when speaking on the phone – if they hear my age or that I’m a young woman.

Just don’t take the first answer. I think it’s a given that they’re going to expect you to go back with different prices or suggestions. So, if you just take the first offer, obviously
they’ll go with it, but I don’t think they mind you suggesting cheaper pricing or negotiating.

And when you have bad days, you just have to ride it. You’re going to have them. And even though you can see on LinkedIn people’s highlight reels, it’s not like that every day for them either.

When things are going well, make the most of it. I try and post a lot on social media. I try and hype up
the brand.

I don’t have a massive marketing budget, so a lot of it is done myself. I try not to get complacent and take my foot off the accelerator.

Business breakfast or business lunch – which appeals?

Lunch. I’m not mad on buying breakfast out – I just think I could have made this myself, and now it’s cost me £12 or something.

Do you have a story to share?

Get in touch by emailing MetroLifestyleTeam@Metro.co.uk.

‘There are systemic structural and institutional barriers.’

‘There are systemic structural and institutional barriers.’

The workplace is tired of generic.

Have you ever wondered exactly how much money you’ll need to retire? Well, there’s no need to question anymore, because we have the answer for you. Heads up though, you might not like it.

Based on the current retirement age of 66, or earlier if you’re lucky, investment management company Fidelity has revealed the recommended amount of savings you’ll need by age 30 to achieve financial freedom after retirement.

Note that said age will rise to 67 between 2026 and 2028. It’s then scheduled to increase again to 68 between 2044 and 2046.

How much do you need to save by age 30?

To be able to pack in work for good and live a comfortable life, you’ll need to have saved one times your annual salary by your 30th birthday, according to Fidelity. To explain, if you’re on £30k by 30, that’s how much you’ll need to have stashed away in the bank. If you’re on £40k, that’s what you should have saved. If you’re on £50k, you’ll need around that amount to maintain your lifestyle. You get the picture.

Sounds daunting, right? Especially when the majority of our wages go on rent or mortgage, bills and food. The news gets worse if you live in London, as the average tenant spends roughly 44.5% of their take-home pay on rent.

So, if you decide to pursue this retirement fund route, it means you can say goodbye to holidays, meals out, or any other simple pleasures for the foreseeable.

Also note that the longer you’re in your job, you’ll likely be climbing the ladder and chasing better pay. So be mindful that whenever your salary increases, you’ll have to increase the amount you put into your savings each month.

How much do I need to save each month to earn £30k by 30?

Of course, it all depends on your current age, salary, and how much you have in the bank right now.

But say you’re 21 with no savings and have a goal of reaching £30k by the time you’re 30. This means you have nine years to save. Every year, you’ll need to deposit £3,333.33. That equates to £277.78 monthly.

Now you’ve seen the average savings, you’ll likely have to save a little less monthly to reach your goal. That is, if your current finances align with the above. But again, if we’re going by the £30k by 30 mark, those between 18 and 24 should theoretically only need to save £26,364.

For 25 to 30-year-olds, based on the average savings, the amount you’d need to save is £26,252.

How much is the State Pension?

As of April 6 2025, the new State Pension increased by 4.1%. So, those eligible for the full amount will receive £11,973 per year. That’s just £230.25 per week. This is compared to £221.20 a week for the 2024/25 tax year.

To qualify for this, you’ll need 35 years of National Insurance Contributions.

Those receiving the basic State Pension will get less. For the 2025/26 tax year, this number is £176.45 a week. That equates to £9175.40 per year.

People earning the basic State Pension will usually need 30 years of National Insurance contributions.

If you have at least 10 qualifying years on your National Insurance record, you typically get a portion of the State Pension. Those with gaps in their National Insurance record will be able to make voluntary contributions to increase their State Pension amount.

The world’s first ‘dad strike’ takes place today in London.

I’ve never lied about my age for a job but I’m paying the price for it.  

Were you one of those people who wanted to finish school and dive headfirst into the world of work? (Or, let’s be honest, just didn’t get the grades for higher education).

It doesn’t necessarily have to impact your earnings. Though it’s true that people who are university educated tend to earn more, it isn’t the only way to bag a successful, high-paying career.

In actual fact, there are so many jobs that don’t require a degree, but still pay the big bucks. (Disclaimer: all require hard work and dedication. Nothing is handed to us on a plate, remember.)

Interested to find out which path you could follow? Whether you’re leaving school this summer or thinking of a career change in later life, here are the 7 best-paying jobs in the UK without a degree.

Personal Trainer

Average Salary in 2023: £40,041 (Source: Glassdoor and The Fitness Group)

Would you prefer to spend your spare time in the gym over studying? That’s the first clue that a career in health and fitness might be for you.

Though you get to avoid uni here, becoming a PT still requires some level of education.

In the UK, you generally need to complete a Level 3 Personal Trainer course, alongside a Level 2 Gym Instructing course. The course also needs to be approved by CIMSPA (Chartered Institute for the Management of Sport and Physical Activity).

The length of the course depends on which one you take, but can be completed in as little as three weeks or up to 12 weeks.

PT courses delve into the understanding of the human body, specifically exercise physiology, biomechanics, and other elements of anatomy. You’ll also learn how to design personalised exercise regimes for clients based on their fitness levels, goals and needs.

Pilot

Average Salary in 2023: £40,000 – £81,666 (Source – Glassdoor and The Pilot Guys.)

Calling all intrepid travellers, fancy getting to see the world as your job? If so, it’s time to apply to flight school.

While you don’t need a degree, a huge amount of hard work is needed before you can be trusted to take people on holiday. In the UK, aspiring pilots usually follow a similar route: getting a Private Pilot Licence (PPL), obtaining a Commercial Pilot Licence (CPL), and then an Airline Transport Pilot Licence (ATPL). The above requires passing theory exams, completing flight training, and getting a Class 1 medical certificate.

Many airlines have different schemes. For example, EasyJet offer a Multi-Crew Pilot Licence which gives you the ‘ins and outs of standard operating procedures’ for the airline. A lot of the training is in a simulator (which sounds SO fun), and once you graduate, you’ll be a qualified Co-Pilot with easyJet with a Type Rating.

The course takes 18-22 months and is ‘tagged.’ This means you’ll be guaranteed a Co-Pilot role on an easyJet Airbus A320.

However, you do have to dig deep financially, which is why the role of a pilot is a lucrative one. This particular EasyJet course costs around €100,529 (£84,823), so you’d best get saving. (Don’t be disheartened, as it is possible to get a loan for pilot training in the UK.)

As for British Airways, they recruit via their Pilot Pathway schemes. One of these is the Speedbird Pilot Academy Cadet programme, which provides fully-funded flight training for selected candidates. The course is full-time and takes 18-24 months. Those successful will bag a job as a British Airways Pilot.

Mortgage Advisor

Average Salary in 2023: £46,466 – £81,666 (Source – Reed)

If you fancy your feet more firmly on the ground, how about becoming a mortgage advisor?

In the UK, hopefuls must complete a CeMAP (Certificate in Mortgage Advice and Practice), a Level 3 qualification, which is the equivalent of an A-Level. It’s approved by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).

Once passed, you’ll also need to register with the FCA as an ‘approved person,’ which shows you meet its criteria for honesty, integrity, competence, and suitability.

Following this, there are multiple ways to break into the industry. Work experience via apprenticeships and trainee schemes are popular, as is employer-provided training. This is where you can earn your CeMAP on the job, as many firms offer the course as employee development.

Graphic Designer

Average Salary in 2023: £24,390 (Source – Payscale)

Are you more of the creative type? While traditionally, many graphic designers complete a BA (Hons) in Graphic Design or similar, it’s not a dealbreaker.

You can do college courses, from an A-level in Graphic Communication to a Level 2 Technical Award in Graphic Design. Or, there’s the Foundation Diploma option, where you spend a year studying art and design.

Failing that, there are so many online short courses available these days. These allow you to develop your skills – particularly on design software like Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign – in your own time.

Once you’ve mastered the software and found your niche, it’s all about building up your portfolio. Does your friend run a business and need some logos or designs developed? Offer them your services. Or, create high-quality personal projects that showcase your talents and creativity.

Unfortunately, graphic design is a competitive industry, so you’ll also need to spend a good amount of time networking. Keep up with industry trends, connect with other designers, and attend specific networking events. The latter especially will help you scope out potential clients to offer your services as a freelancer.

Similarly, keep an eye out for salaried graphic designer vacancies.

Social Media Influencer

Average Salary in 2023: £35,144 – unlimited (Source – Glassdoor)

OK, so you can’t always guarantee this is a career. But you certainly don’t need a degree.

First, you need to find your niche. What are you passionate about? Why is your content different to other people’s? Is it authentic? Once you’ve developed your brand, the next step is posting consistent and engaging content. You’ll also need to engage in online conversations that align with your values as a way of connecting with your target audience.

Often, people grow their followers as a side hustle while working a full-time job. Which, can often seem like you’re working two full-time roles. Other times, one post can completely blow up, and you’re thrown in at the deep end.

Either way, once your followers increase and you achieve a genuinely active fan base, that’s when you’ll start to see brands reaching out to work with you.

As your online presence grows (around the 150,000 followers mark), you’ll likely receive more collaboration offers and brand deals. At this point, managing everything might feel a little overwhelming, which is where management comes in.

Many managers consider this follower amount as a good baseline to start working with an influencer.

Electrician

Average Salary in 2023: £36,000 (Source – Reed)

On the more traditional route, training to become an electrician can bring home the bacon without having to spend three years at uni.

In the UK, there are several paths you can follow. This includes an apprenticeship, a Level 2 or 3 diploma, or a Domestic Installer course. You’ll also need to obtain a Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Electrical Installations.

Many professionals prefer the apprenticeship route, which combines classroom education with on-the-job training. You can also train alongside qualified electricians. Either way takes around three to four years.

Train Driver

Average Salary in 2023: £48,500 – £61,000 (Source – Reed and Glassdoor)

From planes to trains, if public transport interests you, how about driving them? Plus, what better way to experience the best of the British countryside?

According to the Government website, you can become a train driver by applying to a train operating company for a place on a Train Driver Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship.

It takes between one and two years, and combines classroom learning and on-the-job training.

Alternatively, you could start as a train conductor, rail passenger assistant, or revenue officer with a train company and apply for a trainee driver position once you’ve gained experience in the industry. Apparently, this is one of the most common ways people become London Underground drivers.

Were you one of those people who wanted to finish school and dive headfirst into the world of work? (Or, let’s be honest, just didn’t get the grades for higher education).

It doesn’t necessarily have to impact your earnings. Though it’s true that people who are university educated tend to earn more, it isn’t the only way to bag a successful, high-paying career.

In actual fact, there are so many jobs that don’t require a degree, but still pay the big bucks. (Disclaimer: all require hard work and dedication. Nothing is handed to us on a plate, remember.)

Interested to find out which path you could follow? Whether you’re leaving school this summer or thinking of a career change in later life, here are the 7 best-paying jobs in the UK without a degree.

Personal Trainer

Average Salary in 2023: £40,041 (Source: Glassdoor and The Fitness Group)

Would you prefer to spend your spare time in the gym over studying? That’s the first clue that a career in health and fitness might be for you.

Though you get to avoid uni here, becoming a PT still requires some level of education.

In the UK, you generally need to complete a Level 3 Personal Trainer course, alongside a Level 2 Gym Instructing course. The course also needs to be approved by CIMSPA (Chartered Institute for the Management of Sport and Physical Activity).

The length of the course depends on which one you take, but can be completed in as little as three weeks or up to 12 weeks.

PT courses delve into the understanding of the human body, specifically exercise physiology, biomechanics, and other elements of anatomy. You’ll also learn how to design personalised exercise regimes for clients based on their fitness levels, goals and needs.

Pilot

Average Salary in 2023: £40,000 – £81,666 (Source – Glassdoor and The Pilot Guys.)

Calling all intrepid travellers, fancy getting to see the world as your job? If so, it’s time to apply to flight school.

While you don’t need a degree, a huge amount of hard work is needed before you can be trusted to take people on holiday. In the UK, aspiring pilots usually follow a similar route: getting a Private Pilot Licence (PPL), obtaining a Commercial Pilot Licence (CPL), and then an Airline Transport Pilot Licence (ATPL). The above requires passing theory exams, completing flight training, and getting a Class 1 medical certificate.

Many airlines have different schemes. For example, EasyJet offer a Multi-Crew Pilot Licence which gives you the ‘ins and outs of standard operating procedures’ for the airline. A lot of the training is in a simulator (which sounds SO fun), and once you graduate, you’ll be a qualified Co-Pilot with easyJet with a Type Rating.

The course takes 18-22 months and is ‘tagged.’ This means you’ll be guaranteed a Co-Pilot role on an easyJet Airbus A320.

However, you do have to dig deep financially, which is why the role of a pilot is a lucrative one. This particular EasyJet course costs around €100,529 (£84,823), so you’d best get saving. (Don’t be disheartened, as it is possible to get a loan for pilot training in the UK.)

As for British Airways, they recruit via their Pilot Pathway schemes. One of these is the Speedbird Pilot Academy Cadet programme, which provides fully-funded flight training for selected candidates. The course is full-time and takes 18-24 months. Those successful will bag a job as a British Airways Pilot.

Mortgage Advisor

Average Salary in 2023: £46,466 – £81,666 (Source – Reed)

If you fancy your feet more firmly on the ground, how about becoming a mortgage advisor?

In the UK, hopefuls must complete a CeMAP (Certificate in Mortgage Advice and Practice), a Level 3 qualification, which is the equivalent of an A-Level. It’s approved by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).

Once passed, you’ll also need to register with the FCA as an ‘approved person,’ which shows you meet its criteria for honesty, integrity, competence, and suitability.

Following this, there are multiple ways to break into the industry. Work experience via apprenticeships and trainee schemes are popular, as is employer-provided training. This is where you can earn your CeMAP on the job, as many firms offer the course as employee development.

Graphic Designer

Average Salary in 2023: £24,390 (Source – Payscale)

Are you more of the creative type? While traditionally, many graphic designers complete a BA (Hons) in Graphic Design or similar, it’s not a dealbreaker.

You can do college courses, from an A-level in Graphic Communication to a Level 2 Technical Award in Graphic Design. Or, there’s the Foundation Diploma option, where you spend a year studying art and design.

Failing that, there are so many online short courses available these days. These allow you to develop your skills – particularly on design software like Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign – in your own time.

Once you’ve mastered the software and found your niche, it’s all about building up your portfolio. Does your friend run a business and need some logos or designs developed? Offer them your services. Or, create high-quality personal projects that showcase your talents and creativity.

Unfortunately, graphic design is a competitive industry, so you’ll also need to spend a good amount of time networking. Keep up with industry trends, connect with other designers, and attend specific networking events. The latter especially will help you scope out potential clients to offer your services as a freelancer.

Similarly, keep an eye out for salaried graphic designer vacancies.

Social Media Influencer

Average Salary in 2023: £35,144 – unlimited (Source – Glassdoor)

OK, so you can’t always guarantee this is a career. But you certainly don’t need a degree.

First, you need to find your niche. What are you passionate about? Why is your content different to other people’s? Is it authentic? Once you’ve developed your brand, the next step is posting consistent and engaging content. You’ll also need to engage in online conversations that align with your values as a way of connecting with your target audience.

Often, people grow their followers as a side hustle while working a full-time job. Which, can often seem like you’re working two full-time roles. Other times, one post can completely blow up, and you’re thrown in at the deep end.

Either way, once your followers increase and you achieve a genuinely active fan base, that’s when you’ll start to see brands reaching out to work with you.

As your online presence grows (around the 150,000 followers mark), you’ll likely receive more collaboration offers and brand deals. At this point, managing everything might feel a little overwhelming, which is where management comes in.

Many managers consider this follower amount as a good baseline to start working with an influencer.

Electrician

Average Salary in 2023: £36,000 (Source – Reed)

On the more traditional route, training to become an electrician can bring home the bacon without having to spend three years at uni.

In the UK, there are several paths you can follow. This includes an apprenticeship, a Level 2 or 3 diploma, or a Domestic Installer course. You’ll also need to obtain a Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Electrical Installations.

Many professionals prefer the apprenticeship route, which combines classroom education with on-the-job training. You can also train alongside qualified electricians. Either way takes around three to four years.

Train Driver

Average Salary in 2023: £48,500 – £61,000 (Source – Reed and Glassdoor)

From planes to trains, if public transport interests you, how about driving them? Plus, what better way to experience the best of the British countryside?

According to the Government website, you can become a train driver by applying to a train operating company for a place on a Train Driver Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship.

It takes between one and two years, and combines classroom learning and on-the-job training.

Alternatively, you could start as a train conductor, rail passenger assistant, or revenue officer with a train company and apply for a trainee driver position once you’ve gained experience in the industry. Apparently, this is one of the most common ways people become London Underground drivers.

High-street chain Games Workshop, which sells tabletop miniatures and wargames, gave its employees a treat last month, to the tune of £18 million.

The company – which has 1,500 staff at its Nottingham headquarters and thousands more in offices and stores around the world – handed each of them a bonus payment estimated at £6,500, citing a year of strong sales and profit growth.

‘We put people first and invest in them for the long-term,’ it said on its website. ‘Our remarkable people work hard, support one another and strive for quality above all else.’

As modern workers continue to demand more than just a salary from their bosses, an employer that sweetens the deal like this has a better chance of attracting (and keeping) talent.

So, if you’re on the job hunt right now, Metro has rounded up a selection of UK firms that share the wealth.

Greggs

Greggs is a staple part of British culture. But it’s not just iconic products that the fast-food bakery chain is known for. Among those who work – or have worked – for the company, it’s also famed for offering some pretty generous perks.

As part of its mission statement, the chain has promised to distribute 10% of its annual revenue – which amounted to £203.9 million in 2024 – among colleagues.

This meant its 33,000 employees shared a record £20.5 million bonus this year. And while everyone who had worked at the chain for at least six months was entitled to the payment, those with more than six years’ service who worked more than 20 hours a week were awarded an extra £850 extra as part of the scheme.

Additionally, Greggs increased its pension contributions to 7% in 2025, up from 6% last year.

Chief executive, Roisin Currie, said at the time: ‘Our people have worked tirelessly to deliver on our strategic ambition to further establish Greggs as a multi-channel food-to-go retailer, and I want to acknowledge their efforts.’

British Airways

Cabin crew and ground staff at British Airways were gifted a profit-sharing bonus this year, as part of the new three-year pay deal that provides a 10.5% wage increase for thousands of employees.

Alongside an immediate pay rise, the airline’s entire workforce now benefit from the scheme (previously reserved for senior managers and pilots) which includes a minimum bonus of £1,000 and a maximum of 4% of their salary, tied to BA’s annual operating margin.

In a recent ballot, this updated scheme was supported by 86% of British Airways staff.

Emirates

Just last month, Dubai-based airline Emirates – which counts 2,779 British nationals among its 120,000 employees – revealed it would be offering staff a share of its record £4.56 billion annual profit.

The initiative will see each worker get the equivalent to 22 weeks of basic salary as a bonus, marking a significant windfall for many.

It’s not the first time the carrier has been noted for its generosity either: these payouts are an ongoing thing for Emirates, which has dished out up to 24 weeks’ wages per person in previous profitable years.

Rolls-Royce

After recording profits had doubled to £1.1 billion in the first half of last year, Rolls-Royce thanked its 42,000 workers worldwide (21,000 of whom are UK-based) with the equivalent of £700 each in shares.

The engineering giant announced that each staff member would receive 150 shares, with their total value coming in at £30 million.

Tufan Erginbilgic, CEO, told employees: ‘These results have been made possible thanks to your hard work and our collective actions… It is therefore important that you share in our success.’

According to its 2024 full-year results, posted in February, the company is now due to pay out dividends of 6p per share within the coming months.

Barclays

Another employer going down the route of ‘bonus shares’ is Barclays, which awarded its 90,000 staff members a stake in the company worth around £500 back in February.

Following a rise in profits, the bank awarded 170 Barclays shares to each worker (excluding its most senior level), in an effort to ‘to thank them and better align their efforts with shareholders’ interests’.

Employees will have to retain their shares until 2026 – when the company concludes its three-year financial plan – which group chief executive CS Venkatakrishnan hopes ‘will enable all colleagues to benefit tangibly from the firm’s progress,’ during that time.

While this is a one-off move for Barclays has made such a move, it offers a range of additional incentives such as aligned employee and executive director pay, and was named in Linkedin’s top 10 UK employers for 2024.

Childbase Partnership Ltd

Childbase Partnership, which operates 44 nurseries across England – has been 100% employee-owned since 2017 — the first Early Years organisation to adopt this model in the UK.

As such, every colleague within the company is a ‘partner’ and receives an equal tax-free Dividend Payment when the business has a successful year. Past payouts have ranged from £750 to £3,000 per person, with the total split equally between staff (irrespective of job title or hierarchy) depending on the number of hours worked.

On top of this, partners who’ve worked there for over 15 years are rewarded through long-service dinners and events, bonus cash payments from £500 to £3,500, and an extra paid week of annual leave in milestone years.

Schuh

Footwear retail company Schuh has a long history of sharing profits with employees. In 2011, when Tennessee-based Genesco Inc. bought the company for £125 million, staff received a £37.3 million piece of the pie.

Then, in 2015,3,500 workers lucked out when they received profit-related bonuses totalling £25 million.

The amount each person got was dependent on their length of service and salary: for example, a full-time store manager on a wage of £34,000 received £14,000, while a sales advisor with five years of service at £14,000 a year was awarded £3,000.

While big bonuses such as the above don’t seem to have happened since, Schuh still has some attractive qualities for employees, including a free pair of shoes each year and your birthday off.

Riverford Organic Farmers

Not into corporate life but still want to own a stake in a business? Riverford Organic Farmers, an organic farm and vegetable box delivery company, has been employee-owned since June 2018.

In 2023, the company became 100% employee-owned when founder Guy Singh-Watson sold his final 23% of shares.

The company is also an Employee Trust, which means all staff (known as co-owners) receive equal benefits as well as an equal percentage ofannual profits.

This year, the Devon-based firm announced it’d be sharing a £1.3 million payout with over 1,000 staff — meaning workers would receive around £1,000 each.

Enhanced maternity and paternity pay is also offered, alongside flexible working options and a referral bonus.

John Lewis

John Lewis is perhaps the most well-known example of a 100% employee-owned company. The John Lewis Partnership means all workers are ‘Partners’ and part-owners of the business.

Previously, the John Lewis bonus scheme meant employees were equally distributed around 10% of all company profits. However, in 2025, the scheme was suspended for a third consecutive year after the business decided to invest in other areas. This is despite profits rising by 73% to £97m last year.

It’s not all doom and gloom for workers, though. Instead of the bonus, the retailer focused on increasing employee pay by 7.4%, along with redistributing earnings to make improvements to stores and supply chain.

Chairman Jason Tarry said he was ‘determined to pay a bonus’ as soon as possible, but that ‘will depend on where we are at the time.’

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‘Don’t play with payroll.’