Education and Careers Advice

A new report from the British Youth Council (BYC) and NCB has found that formal careers advice and guidance is failing young people during a time of rising unemployment and record numbers of young people not in employment, education, or training (NEET). Here is a link to the full report, but below is a summary of what you have told us:

Young people’s views on finding out about jobs and careers

The report, based on the findings of an online survey with over 500 young people aged 12-26 years old, found that more than 80% of young people found formal careers advice services from schools, colleges and universities to be a ‘little bit’ or ‘not at all helpful’.

The survey found that young people were most influenced by their parents (65.3%), websites (60.8%), teachers (58.2%) and friends (59.9%).

The report also asked young people what they wanted to do, unlike the common stereotype that all young people want to become a celebrity (not one respondent listed this ambition), the report reveals great depth and variety in our young people’s aspirations, including a ‘professor of bone disease’, ‘trade unionist’, and an ‘ordained minister’. Most popular career choices were within the law, teaching and media sectors.

So, what is the plan now we know more about your opinions?

• Help to educate those who you listed as the people you’re most influenced by in their knowledge and understanding of the job market.
• To keep careers advice in the same locations but improve their approach in providing information advice.
• Include more online websites to offer information, guidance and tools for young people an their parents.
• Link into business more with things like work-based learning.

Rajay Naik aged 22, chair of the BYC said: ‘Young people who contributed least to the economic situation, are those suffering most from the recession we now find ourselves in. We must invest in developing the potential of our younger generation if we are to sustainably grow our economy out of recession, and part of that depends on providing personalised career guidance.

‘There is an urgent need to engage young people in the delivery of the structures and support systems which will hopefully provide the opportunities and skills to put our country back on the road to prosperity and growth. Do this and we will have rescued a generation of talent; fail, and we will be neglecting the aspirations and potential of millions.’