Why good, objective careers advice is needed for students.

School Speakers passionately believes that all students should have to good, objective careers advice. We have a wealth of speakers who visit students all across the UK inspiring and advising on career destinations, employability skills, CVs and interview techniques. To view our careers speakers please click here

Speaking recently at the Institute of Career Guidance - Commissioning Career Guidance Services conference in York, David Andrews OBE listed four key reasons to invest in careers guidance. These were:
1.    The 14-19 education system and beyond will not work without careers guidance.
2.    It is not possible to reduce the number of young people Not in Education, Employment or Training (NEET) purely by having a targeted support service.
3.    Results will go up as careers guidance raises aspirations, increases motivation and raises achievement.
4.    10% of students starting a higher education course do not complete. Careers guidance encourages research so students are informed about their journey.

These outlined points came in the week that the Department for Education confirmed its statutory careers guidance requirements which all schools must deliver from September 2012. Under Section 29 of the Education Act 2011, schools now have a duty of care to secure access to independent careers guidance for their pupils in years 9 to 11. Careers guidance secured under the new duty must:
•    Be presented in an impartial manner
•    Include information on the full range of post-16 education or training options, including Apprenticeships
•    Promote the best interests of the pupils to whom it is given

Through the new requirements, schools have been made more accountable for the successful progression of students to further education, higher education and skilled employment, providing independent guidance along the way.