Introduced at the end of last year, the government’s new Careers Strategy is focused on improving the quality of careers provision in England.
The aim of the strategy is to create a thriving careers system – accessible to all – which breaks down the barriers to progress that too many students in the UK still face, depriving them of the ability to reach their full potential.
In this blog, we will cover four key priorities and ways in which your school or college can implement the strategy.
The four key priorities:
- Creating a first-class careers programme in every school and college
- Delivering opportunities for valuable student work experience
- Creating bespoke careers support
- Utilising appropriate sources of information about jobs and careers.
One crucial element of the strategy is that every school and college in the UK will have its own dedicated Careers Leader in place by September 2018, to provide students with up-to-date material about the job market and the best training routes – and, crucially, deliver informed and practical advice to help students make the best decisions about their futures.
Without access to the best possible advice and careers support, many students will naturally miss out on opportunities, and be denied access to broader experiences and role models.
The strategy will also address many of the issues around careers training, meaning that, irrespective of their backgrounds, students will be given the best possible preparation to aid them in moving into jobs or training that will enable them.
Careers Strategy – the key points
Dedicated Careers Leaders
One of the major aims of the strategy is that every school and college in the UK will have a dedicated Careers Leader onsite by the new school year. The government has set aside £4 million to support schools and colleges and aid them in providing students with the most up-to-date training techniques and services to better prepare them for the working world.
Improved interactions between schools and businesses
When the strategy is fully implemented, it will mean that secondary schools will be expected to provide their students with at least one meaningful interaction with a business every year – with particular focus being given to employers in the Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) industries.
Careers Hubs
A further £5 million of funding will go into developing 20 Careers Hubs, designed to support young people in disadvantaged areas. These Hubs will link together schools, colleges, universities and local businesses to broaden the aspirations and opportunities of students from deprived backgrounds.
Careers activities in primary schools
£2 million will be used to pilot ways to engage primary school children on the many career opportunities available to them – in an effort to raise aspirations at a young age.
Specialist advice for the long-term unemployed and people with additional needs – The National Careers Service will offer specialist support for those who need it most, ensuring career opportunities for everyone, regardless of geographical location or background.
Recent research suggests that, before the strategy was introduced, few students received careers advice – and, those that did receive it, believed it to be largely unsatisfactory. In one survey, more than two-thirds of Year 11 students stated that they had received no careers advice whatsoever; and, of those that had, only half were satisfied.