In a bid to improve the careers advice available to young people, new guidelines published by the Department of Education have advised schools to make strong connections with employers.
Careers advice in schools is a topic which has come under attack recently. The Association of Colleges recently criticised sixth form schools for giving biased careers advice in an attempt to retain students for income.
The Department of Education says the new guidelines will “help all schools to learn from the best by sharing best practice.” The guide says: “Establishing a planned programme of employer engagement will give pupils the opportunity to hear directly from professionals and be inspired by role models.”
Schools are encouraged to ask key questions:
- Are employers given a voice in the classroom?
- Does the school arrange visits to workplaces and make high-quality work experience available?
- Do pupils have access to impartial information and advice on a broad range of options, including apprenticeships, entrepreneurialism and vocational routes alongside A levels and university, to support informed decisions at key transition points?
Click here to view the guidelines.
