Careers Guidance in Schools — [Christina Rees in the Chair]

Ms Firth expressed concern that only a minority of young people are aware of apprenticeships and degree apprenticeships, with many believing university to be the only credible path. She highlighted the importance of starting careers guidance as early as primary school to change hearts and minds. Ms Firth praised the 830 young people in Southend West undertaking apprenticeships but noted that teachers discuss apprenticeships with students infrequently. Schools should be responsible for providing careers advice as they understand the local area and opportunities available. She discussed this with the headmaster of Westcliff High School for Boys who emphasized that a one-size-fits-all approach is not effective.

He agreed that changing attitudes towards apprenticeships is more important than increasing funding, highlighting efforts to create 5 million apprenticeships since 2010. He stressed the need for a shift in mindset rather than additional resources. Congratulations were offered to the chair on her appointment, emphasizing the importance of apprenticeships for social mobility and increasing skills levels in defence manufacturing. He highlighted that this would enhance national security while also creating employment opportunities.

Welcomed the Minister to her role, noting significant changes in economic opportunities since he was a school student. Highlighted various new industries and job opportunities in his constituency, including rocket companies, vertical farming, offshore renewable energy, film studios, research centres, and engineering firms. Emphasised the need for better career guidance due to increased complexity of choices facing young people today compared to past generations. He agrees that current full employment levels, where many companies struggle to find staff, will help change employer attitudes. He suggests employers should develop their employees' careers internally.

She suggested an opportunity for schools to connect local economies, labour markets, and businesses with apprenticeships before students leave education. She believes no one should exit education without a clear path into the labour market or higher education. Emphasised the importance of early interventions for young people who are at risk, stressed the need to empower students with an agile mindset that recognises lifelong learning. Called for tackling job snobbery and encouraging confidence through career advice in schools. Highlighted the success of the kickstart programme during the pandemic by helping 163,000 young people into their first jobs.

Nusrat Ghani agrees that the quality of careers advice varies greatly between schools. She highlights that even though there is excellent work being done by the Careers and Enterprise Company, only half of heads report their schools as part of CEC career hubs. This needs to be scaled up.

Emphasised the importance of broadening career opportunities for children in primary schools, citing examples from his constituency. Discussed the positive findings from a study conducted at Hollymount School where 37 out of 44 pupils believed that subjects like English, Maths and Science can help them in their future careers.

He noted that despite statutory guidance for careers advice, at least 25% of schools are failing to meet the minimum standards. He emphasised the need for enforcement and assessment regimes to ensure these good intentions are realised on the ground. Has observed inconsistent careers guidance through hubs and questions whether these hubs are providing varied work experiences for young people. Points out that schools often leave it to students to find their own placements, which can lead to a lack of diverse opportunities. The Labour party criticises the Government's lack of commitment to work experience and careers guidance, citing the axing of Connexions in 2010 which left many young people without adequate advice. The debate highlights inconsistencies across regions in terms of quality and funding for career guidance services, with some schools focusing primarily on pushing students towards their own sixth forms rather than providing unbiased information about different educational routes. Concerns are raised regarding the inadequacy of current provisions, such as only 50% of parents reporting that their child's school offers good careers advice. Asked if a school can be assessed as outstanding despite having inadequate careers guidance, questioning the Minister's statement about the importance of Gatsby benchmarks and Ofsted checks on career guidance quality.