Careers advice under the microscope: apprenticeships ‘are largely ignored’

Emma Finamore
15 Dec 2015

Current careers advice has been described as 'patchy' - we're guessing that's not good.

A new committee has launched an inquiry looking at the careers advice, information and guidance available to the UK’s young people.

Apprenticeships will form a large part of this investigation, with committee members saying vocational routes into work are being overlooked by careers advisers in favour of the university path, something which AllAboutSchoolLeavers’ research revealed earlier this year.

Neil Carmichael MP, chair of the education select committee, said: “While routes to university may be well mapped out, alternatives such as apprenticeships and vocational qualifications are largely ignored.

"Good quality careers advice is exceptionally important but current provision often seems patchy and complex, falling short in providing young people with comprehensive advice about the range of career opportunities available.”

Iain Wright MP, chair of the business innovation and skills select committee, said: "Ensuring young people have access to good quality careers information, advice and guidance is crucial to social mobility.

“Giving young people a clearer understanding of where they could be going and how to get there can have a massive impact on their life chances as well as bringing benefits to our economy.”

Written submissions are invited concerning the following points, by midday on Wednesday 20 January 2016.

- The quality and impartiality of current provision

- How careers advice in schools and colleges can help to match skills with labour market needs

- The role of the new Careers and Enterprise Company and its relationship with other bodies such as the National Careers Service

- The balance between national and local approaches to careers advice

- Careers advice and apprenticeships

- The potential for employers to play a greater role in careers advice

The inquiry will focus in particular on developments since the publication of the Education Committee report Careers guidance for young people: The impact of the new duty on schools, in 2013.

The effectiveness of Skills Minister, Nick Boles, will also be examined.

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