Careers advice is once again in the news, as a new law that states vocational and academic options must be promoted equally is touted.
This follows the Ofsted Annual Report 2014-2015, which revealed that one of the most common reasons learners don’t continue study or enter into employment is because the careers advice they receive before choosing their route after school was flawed. In particular, vocational education or training and Apprenticeships were poorly promoted; in fact, Apprenticeships are often presented as a last option to learners.
It’s clear that vocational education and Apprenticeships are still considered a lesser option in comparison to university by some, despite the government’s commitment to the programmes and countless studies and surveys showing the value of an Apprenticeship.
Not only do 70% of employers believe that hiring apprentices has a positive impact on their business and the productivity of their workforce, but 83% of apprentices say their job prospects have improved as a result of taking an Apprenticeship. If that wasn’t enough, research found that learners undertaking a Higher Apprenticeship earn more on average than university graduates. These statistics show how valuable Apprenticeships are, but perhaps more needs to be done to ensure everyone knows the value of vocational education. That’s where careers advice is vitally important.
The Department for Education (DfE) has recently announced it’ll be bringing in a new law that will see schools required to promote vocational pathways, including Apprenticeships, equally. The government states this is in order to eradicate the “second class perception of technical and professional education.”
This new law would see staff from colleges and Apprenticeship providers come into schools in order to promote these pathways. Schools would be required to connect with colleges, training providers and other Apprenticeship providers as part of this new legislation.
Dr Mary Bousted, General Secretary of the Association of Teachers and Lecturers (ATL) has recently spoken out about the state of careers advice, arguing it has deteriorated since the government abolished Connexions in 2010; this, she said, led to a lack of funding for careers advice.
“Teachers desperately want to be able to provide the best advice, but, although the government made it a statutory requirement for schools to provide impartial careers education, information, advice and guidance, it has not provided funding for the specialists needed to coordinate this”, Dr Bousted commented.
“Good careers advice and education should be embedded in all curriculum subject areas. The Government should also fund schools so they can provide good careers”, she continued.
We welcome the move by the DfE to improve careers advice in schools; careers advisors can be some of the most influential people in a young person’s life, and their advice can shape a learner’s life. If learners are directed down an academic pathway when they’d be more suited to practical, vocational learning they may not be given the best chance to succeed. We also agree with Dr Boustedd that more funding should be available for this careers advice; many educational institutions are struggling due to budget cuts, and they must be given a fair opportunity to succeed.
What are your thoughts? How do you tackle careers advice?
