Serco launches preview of The Human Factor report at DSEI

Land September 23, 2025

British soldiers are to receive high-tech rifle sights, helping them to better track and shoot the enemy in dark conditions, under a new contract announced by the MOD.

Serco launched its new report – The Human Factor – at DSEI last week.

Against the backdrop of rising global tensions and the longstanding challenge of recruitment and retention, Serco surveyed 2000 adults across the UK to better understand their views and sentiments towards a career in the defence enterprise, which encompasses the full network of organisations, industries, and activities – both public and private sector.

The research also looked at wider attitudes, values and priorities around work in general.

Key findings include:

A generational opportunity

Over half (53 per cent) of Gen Z (ages 16-28) and Millennials (29-44) say that the current geopolitical climate is making them more inclined to consider a career that contributes to national defence.
Over three quarters (77 per cent) of Gen Z say an employer’s purpose and mission are important when choosing a job – and of them 77 per cent say they have left or would leave a role that no longer reflected their principles and beliefs.
When asked what their top three priorities were when considering a job role, Gen Z stands out from other generations. Just 31 per cent of Gen Z said that a competitive salary was one of their top three priorities when considering a job, compared to 44 per cent among all generations of working age.

Participating in the defence enterprise

When asked what type of employment they would prefer if they had to participate in the defence enterprise, 17 per cent of respondents said they would choose to be a Reservist — a part-time member of the Armed Forces while typically also working a civilian job — rising to 1 in 5 for Gen Z and Millennials.
Half (51 per cent) of respondents expressed interest in spending a period of their career seconded to the defence enterprise, rising to 71 per cent among 25–34-year-olds.

Skills and recruitment

80 per cent of respondents believe soft skills such as decision-making, teamwork and emotional resilience are important in modern defence operations, a consistent view across genders, regions and industries.
Yet just over half (52 per cent) of respondents believe soft skills are effectively communicated in recruitment materials. This lack of clarity is an important area to be addressed as we look to broaden engagement and encourage Britons to pursue defence-related careers.

This research is part of a larger initiative from Serco, which in the coming months will be convening with industry partners, government representatives and those working in education to explore how to take advantage of Britons’ propensity to serve.

Doug Umbers, Managing Director of Serco’s UK Defence business, said: “Against the backdrop of rising global tensions and the longstanding challenge of recruitment and retention, we commissioned this research to better understand the views of people across the country to a career in the defence enterprise.

We have a generational opportunity to help keep our country safe while providing, meaningful, productive and high value jobs to grow our economy. As we look to reconnect people to our national security, I am heartened to see we have a generation of young people who are keen to step-up.”

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