Why a focus on careers education is more important than ever

Education has undergone transformative changes in recent years, and more than ever, it plays a vital role in building a future that is both progressive and sustainable. Addressing talent shortages in the sector is a key focus for the current Labour government, which has pledged to make the recruitment of 6,500 new teachers a priority.

Key to a successful education is providing pupils the skills and experiences needed for the future world of work. However, staff turnover and a lack of funding can obstruct careers education in schools, while issues such as administrative burden and placement availability reduce the prospect of securing meaningful work experience. Many students are therefore reliant on their own familial networks when seeking career insights, which only entrenches inequality of opportunity.

A deficit of workplace education and experience is magnified by the rapid pace of innovation, and as technology continues to permeate an increasing number of roles, there is a widespread need to ensure that those entering the employment market are equipped – as much as possible – with the skills and professional dexterity needed to tackle talent shortages.

How Inspire can help

In response, we’re working in partnership with schools and clients to deliver Inspire, a free-of-charge learning programme that provides teachers with resources to deliver informative and realistic insight into possible career pathways. This includes advice from leading employers – such as Amey, Bupa, Mercedes-Benz, Tarmac, Vistry Group, Hays, and most recently entertainment giant Sony – regarding the skills needed to succeed in the workforce of tomorrow. Insight into Early Careers opportunities with each of these employers also provides much-needed transparency on specific routes into work – both academic and non-academic.

The lesson plans – consisting of comprehensive guidance notes, video content and student worksheets – are targeted at Key Stages 2, 3 and 4, helping schools to achieve the Gatsby Benchmarks and deliver effective, unbiased information to pupils on their post-16 opportunities. We hope that by harnessing the potential of the collaborative role educators and organisations can play in providing career insights for future generations, students will be armed with the knowledge they need to make informed choices, avail themselves of opportunities and realise their future ambitions.

So what can educators do to foster inspiration amongst students regarding the world of work, and how can careers education be used to empower positive change?

1. Contextualise the work students do

Students are much more likely to engage with teaching if it’s given some wider contextual meaning, and drawing on links between what they are learning and possible routes into the world of work is not only motivating, but will help them understand how theoretical concepts can be applied to practical, real-world contexts.

Perceiving the relevance of their subject of study both to their own lives and the lives of others is also likely to improve engagement, whilst insight into how learning can provide a route into a particular career will also help learners to understand how they can overcome perceived barriers, and see a clear path or multiple paths ahead to their chosen destination.

2. Ask students about their aspirations

Needless to say, a ‘one-size-fits-all’ approach is not the right fit when it comes to career guidance, and the aspirations and dreams of all students will be different. Approaching the subject individually with learners should take the form of open questioning, and could include questions such as:

• What do you feel you’re good at, and what do you enjoy?
• Have you thought about what job you’d like to do in the future?
• Would you like to find out more about your intended career?

Providing guidance, and helping students make connections between what they enjoy and what they’re good at is best done on a ‘one-to-one’ basis, if only to spark reflection, initially, and get them thinking about the topic.

3. Emphasise different paths

To make careers education as inclusive as possible, and help learners envision themselves in a job, you should make it clear that there is not always one route or pathway to the career they aspire to. It’s important that students don’t feel alienated by conventional routes to work, and there are a multitude of non-academic possibilities, such as vocational courses, apprenticeships and internships, that they can take.

4. Soft skills are key

The knowledge and capabilities we develop throughout our time in early years education are not necessarily those that will bring us career success. Much of the time, our education helps us to develop the competencies needed to perform certain tasks, such as mathematics or foreign languages. While these are extremely valuable, the most prevalent gaps often lie in the development of ‘soft skills’, such as critical thinking and problem solving.

Arguably, these skills are more difficult to teach as they don’t conform to a standardised ‘grading’ system. But they are highly beneficial to those starting out in their careers, and should be cultivated and encouraged wherever possible amongst learners.

5. Break it down

Try to incorporate careers education into the curriculum wherever you can, even if it’s for ten minute ‘bitesize’ sessions. Inspire was created specifically to be easily adapted to a range of timeframes and audiences, whether for a short video watch for Key Stage 2, or a 45-minute lesson, including worksheets and plenaries, for Key Stage 4.

To get started with Inspire and begin raising aspirations and inspiring future careers, fill out our enquiry form.