SCORES of Swindon workers are planning to quit their jobs and start new careers this month.

According to research group i-to-i. one in ten Swindon workers used the Christmas period to think about handing in their notice to try their hand at something new.

The research showed one in two workers used their annual leave to extend their Christmas break in a bid to delay returning to the office.

In addition one in 12 admitted considering calling in sick.

Now it seems Swindon's colleges could soon be packed with people wanting to improve their CV.

Almost a third said they plan to make 2004 the year to go "back to school.

Interestingly, researchers found the financial sector traditionally one of the highest paid contains the most potential quitters with 51 per cent seriously pondering their options. Next is office workers at 44 per cent.

Deirdre Bounds, i-to-i's managing director said: "Our research shows that New Year really is the time when many people reassess their lives.

"One in three admit they go back to work after Christmas feeling "there must be more to life than this", so it is hardly surprising that many make life-changing decisions in January."

Dave Trowbridge of recruitment agency Manpower in Bridge Street urges people not happy with their jobs to do something about it.

He said: "January is one of our busiest times. Many people take the view New Year new start.

"People suddenly realise at this time of the year that they want something a bit more challenging."

Mr Trowbridge said Manpower had a range of training programmes available to people wanting to give their CVs the boost needed to set themselves on the track to job satisfaction.

And it seems those who do decide to stick it out, turn to travel to cheer themselves up.

Two thirds say the thought of a trip abroad lifted their spirits.

On a wider level, more than half said travel can help people develop in other areas of their lives, with a further one in six believing working abroad can help future UK job prospects.

Mrs Bounds said many people in their 20s and 30s are planning to jet off for longer periods in search of an answer to their career woes.

She said: "Whereas once extended travel and volunteer holidays were seen as the province of the gap-year student, at i-to-i we're finding more and more people in this age group with established careers, are taking a break and using travel to reassess their lives.

"Many people return from their travels with a quite different outlook about where they want to be."

Kevin Shoesmith