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Careers Guidance in Schools — [Christina Rees in the Chair]
13 July 2022
Lead MP
Mike Amesbury
Weaver Vale
Lab
Responding Minister
Andrea Jenkyns
Tags
EducationEconomyTaxationEmploymentBusiness & TradeChildren & Families
Word Count: 12266
Other Contributors: 7
At a Glance
Mike Amesbury raised concerns about careers guidance in schools — [christina rees in the chair] in Westminster Hall. A government minister responded.
Key Requests to Government:
Mike Amesbury asks the Minister whether all schools will be subject to statutory guidance rather than just maintained and some academies and free schools. He also inquires about plans for a new careers strategy post-pandemic, given the challenges faced by schools. Additionally, he advocates for better access to work experience with a statutory duty and resources to support it, ensuring that placements are relevant to students' future ambitions.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Lead Contributor
In 1985, Mike Amesbury received poor career advice that limited his options. He is concerned about the disparity in quality of careers advice between schools and how it disproportionately affects pupils from poorer backgrounds. The Social Market Foundation's report suggests levelling up careers provision to make the country fairer, but this aspect has not been included in the levelling-up agenda. According to recent research by the Sutton Trust, 75% of teachers in state schools reported a negative impact on their ability to deliver career advice due to the pandemic, with disadvantaged students being disproportionately affected. Currently, only 17% of year 13 students report learning about local careers opportunities through school.
Anna Firth
Con
Southend West
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.
Jack Lopresti
Con
Filton and Bradley Stoke
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.
Jerome Mayhew
Con
Broadland and Fakenham
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.
Mims Davies
Con
East Grinstead and Uckfield
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.
Robin Walker
Con
Worcester
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.
Toby Perkins
Lab
Chesterfield
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.
Government Response
Andrea Jenkyns
Government Response
It is a pleasure to serve under your chairmanship, Ms Rees. I congratulate the hon. Member for Weaver Vale on securing this important debate. Careers guidance in schools is a critical part of my new brief at the Department for Education. High-quality careers guidance is an essential underpinning of the Government's schools, skills and levelling-up reforms. Our vision includes a world-class careers framework for schools, significant investment to help schools and colleges improve their careers offer, and innovative plans to enhance the quality of information and data that helps young people navigate their career choices. This September, new legislation extending legal entitlements to independent careers guidance for all secondary school-aged pupils will be implemented. In January, a significant strengthening of provider access legislation will require schools to invite providers of technical education or apprenticeships to talk to pupils at least six times between years 8 and 13. The adoption of the Gatsby benchmarks has been successful with over 4,200 secondary schools and colleges using them since 2018. This leads to a 10% reduction in NEETs post-16 if all eight benchmarks are met, doubling for disadvantaged students. We have invested £29 million this year in the Careers and Enterprise Company (CEC) to support schools and colleges implementing the Gatsby benchmarks by extending careers hubs and enterprise adviser networks. Local employers play a crucial role in providing hands-on experience of the workplace and highlighting pathways into work. The National Careers Service continues to provide personalised advice, and we are establishing a unit for future skills to ensure comprehensive labour market information is available at both national and local levels.
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About Westminster Hall Debates
Westminster Hall debates are a chance for MPs to raise important issues affecting their constituents and get a response from a government minister. Unlike Prime Minister's Questions, these debates are more in-depth and collaborative. The MP who secured the debate speaks first, other MPs can contribute, and a minister responds with the government's position.