ONE in eight people in the South-West fell in' to their current job, reveals new research from the Learning and Skills Council (LSC).

Rather than make an active decision about the career they wanted to pursue, 16% of those questioned in this region left their careers to chance.

When asked why they do the job they do, four out of ten (42 per cent) said they were passionate about it, and a little over a third (37%) cited money as their main motivator.

The research also revealed one in ten (12%) of individuals in the South-West are in their current job because they didn't get the qualifications to pursue the career they wanted, one in ten (11%) work to support their passion outside work.

And one in seven respondents in this region (13%) said their job was a stepping stone to the career they wanted.

This research is published as the Learning and Skills Council announces finalists for this year's national Apprenticeship Awards.

This year's apprentice finalists did not risk leaving their future to chance and chose to embark on apprenticeships in a variety of sectors including engineering, construction, hospitality, health and beauty and telecommunications to get the career they wanted.

The awards, now in their fourth year, are hosted by the LSC and are designed to recognise the hard work and commitment of young people currently on, or who have recently completed, an apprenticeship, and employers who are successfully using Apprenticeships to improve business performance.

This year's awards attracted over 1,000 entries from apprentices and employers all vying to be named Apprentice or Employer of the Year at the ceremony in June.

The research reveals a large degree of career dissatisfaction amongst Brits today, unlike the finalist from the South West region nominated for an award this year.

Stephen Gardner, director of apprenticeships at the Learning and Skills Council, said: "At a time when our nation's skill levels need to be improved, apprentices are excellent examples of people who are making plans for their futures by learning the skills and knowledge they will need.

"Their dynamic attitude to work is recognised by the LSC's national Apprenticeship Awards. The Awards are now in their fourth year - a positive sign of the outstanding contribution individuals and UK business are making to raise skills levels and improve productivity and competitiveness nationally.

"On behalf of the LSC, I would like to congratulate each and every finalist for their hard work, development and commitment to their Apprenticeship programmes.

"They have worked extremely hard to raise their skills levels and I hope they prove to be positive role models to others who choose to undertake Apprenticeships. I look forward to meeting each and every one of them."

To find out more about the Apprenticeship Awards, visit www.apprenticeships.org.uk/awards or call 0870-1436983.