Understanding Modern Careers Guidance

Navigating the path from school to a fulfilling career is a hard journey for students! The level of personalised support they receive can make all the difference. Time is needed to help students understand themselves, their needs, which learning pathways and careers could suit their personality and to gently help with aspiration.

What is Modern Careers Guidance in Schools?

Qualifications and Standards:

  • Careers Counsellors in UK schools are highly qualified, requiring a degree and postgraduate qualification in careers guidance.

  • They must be on the UK Register of Career Professionals provided by the Career Development Institute.

  • They complete 25 hours of Continuing Professional Development annually.

Current picture in many schools:

  • Only one careers guidance session is usually possible per student, between Year 7 to Year 11.

  • Sessions typically last 20-45 minutes, discussing as much as is possible. However one session is nowhere near enough….

  • Due to large student cohorts, follow-up sessions are rare, which means little or no ongoing support.

The Difference that Careers Tutoring offers

Private Careers Tutoring:

  • Personalised 1:1 Sessions: Each student receives dedicated time and privacy to explore all ideas and set goals.

  • Duration and Frequency: Sessions are one hour with as many sessions as needed.

  • In-Depth Discussions: Comprehensive discussions to help students understand themselves, including psychometric evaluations and detailed career planning.

  • Follow-up and Homework: Weekly homework to encourage self-reflection and research, with regular follow-ups.

  • Continuous Support: Ongoing email support to answer questions and provide guidance.

  • Outcome: Students are well-informed, confident, and empowered to make sound decisions about their futures.

Why young people need good access to careers support:

  • One in three students enrolled in T Levels in 2021 dropped out before completing the qualification in 2023. Most of these students switched to a different level-3 qualification or sought an apprenticeship. (Source: Dept of Education, as featured in FE Week, July 2024)

  • NEET Rates: Currently, 11% of 16-24 year olds are not in employment, education, or training (NEET), equating to approximately 900,000 young people. (Source: Dept of Education and ONS, 2024)

  • University Dropout Rates: In the 2022-2023 academic year, 41,914 students withdrew from their university courses. (Source: Student Loans Company)