New research has shown more than one quarter of women have considered changing careers during the pandemic.

Overall, 24% of adults said they had looked into changing their career or had actually moved jobs in the last six months due to the pandemic, as many workers reflected on their future goals and work interests.

Of those, nearly two in five (18%) said they had considered changing careers but had not made the move yet. Unfortunately, 3% said they had been forced to change careers our of necessity perhaps due to redundancy or Covid-19.

Women (27%) were slightly more likely to say they had looked into changing careers or had moved jobs in the last six months, compared to men (23%).

Official government statistics estimate the most recent unemployment rate, 4.9% between December 2020 to February 2021, has risen by 0.9% since the start of the pandemic.

Durham-based driving instructor Karyn Cunningham qualified in June 2019 after seeing how the job had helped her sister enjoy a better work-life balance when she became an instructor. Karyn joined BSM on a Solo franchise, which gives driving instructors everything they need to run their business while building their own brand. She said:

“My sister is also a driving instructor and I saw first-hand what a great work life balance she had, being able to juggle a busy family life alongside a rewarding career. I felt if it could work for her, it could also work for me. It’s been great as we’re able to support and help each other as needed.”

“The BSM Solo franchise gives me the flexibility to run my business my way. I have the benefit of having the support of a team, but to pupils it’s my driving school. Knowing that you have a pool of resources that you can lean on if needed is hugely beneficial, yet it’s your business to run how you want.”

The BSM Solo franchise offers dual-control unbranded car leasing, in both manual and automatic transmissions, which combines value for money with the freedom to run a business on your own terms.

The franchise includes everything driving instructors need to get on the road including access to pupils through BSM, comprehensive car insurance, a high mileage allowance, breakdown cover and contact centre support.

Robert Cowell, BSM Interim Managing Director said: “Since the start of the pandemic many people have looked into changing careers, by choice or circumstance, and we’ve seen this reflected in the number of individuals looking at our driving instructor training courses.

“It’s clear from speaking to people interested in training with us they’ve re-assessed what’s important to them during the pandemic. Their attitude to work has shifted and many are now placing greater emphasis on a better work-life balance in a job that gives them personal satisfaction.”

“Driving instructors work flexibly, control the hours they work and how much they charge per lesson, and make a real difference to people’s lives at a pivotal moment. Added to that, during lockdowns driving lessons were suspended creating pent up demand for lessons and the perfect market conditions to join the industry.”

“Anyone who’s been thinking about a change in careers should get in touch with us and find out more about how to become a driving instructor, there’s never been a better time to join us.”

BSM offers quality training courses including an innovated VR option, and varied franchise options for driving instructors around the UK.