Careers Information

The 14-19 reforms give young people more choice. In order to make choices that suit their needs and interests, all young people need access to objective, relevant, accurate, detailed and user-friendly careers information about all their opportunities. Those supporting them, including parents and carers, need similar information so that they can help young people to explore all their options and make the best possible choices.

Careers information comprises facts and data on opportunities and trends in learning and work presented in a way that makes sense to young people Local consortia and their partners should ensure that there is effective provision of careers information. This requires:

well-maintained and accessible information systems – review the management and maintenance of current systems taking account of any local standards. Ensure that information resources are accessible, available in a range of user-friendly formats (including ICT), objective, stereotype free, appropriate to age and ability and regularly updated.
support for those working with and helping young people – check that existing systems enable staff, parents, carers and others to find out about young people’s current opportunities in learning and work and the progression pathways that they support. Check that everyone knows about the post-16 progression measure, any locally agreed progression targets, the September Guarantee and the local prospectus. Ensure that they know how to use them to support individual progression. Look at how well existing arrangements promote consistent delivery and help to broaden young people’s horizons and raise aspirations by challenging stereotyped and traditional thinking (both by young people and those supporting them).
structured opportunities for young people to find out about and learn how to use careers information – review how well existing arrangements, particularly careers education activities, help young people to become discerning users of careers information. Check that young people have supported access to detailed careers information about all their progression opportunities and the financial and other support available to them. Look at whether they have access to trained advisers who can help them to deal with questions arising from their use of careers information resources.
national careers information resources – investigate and use national publications, young people’s resources (e.g. the jobs4u careers database, It’s Your Choice, Which Way Now, Parents and Carers of Year 9 students) and practitioners’ resources (e.g. guides, lesson plans) which are available on the Connexions Direct website and cegnet.
local careers information resources – investigate and use locally produced careers information (e.g. LMI, destinations information, the local prospectus) and associated resources (e.g. lesson plans) produced by external IAG providers and others.

Questions to ask yourself

Does the careers information that young people receive cover all their options and is it regularly updated, accessible, relevant, objective, accurate, up-to-date and stereotype free?
Are all staff aware of developments such as the post-16 progression measure, the September Guarantee and the local prospectus and their implications for the provision of careers information?
Are there effective links between the careers information and careers education, advice and guidance that young people receive?
What are the strengths and weaknesses in existing arrangements for providing careers information?
How can you build on the strengths and tackle the weaknesses?

See also:

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Information

Quick Guide: September Guarantee