Career Guidance in Secondary Schools

What happens when school days are over?

Career education has been part of the British education system for more than 40 years. The subject has undergone a number of changes over the years and the government made it a core curriculum subject for all pupils from the late 1990s onwards. A major problem with careers education and guidance studies (CEGS) was no clear guidance on how the subject should be taught. In late 2009, the government produced guidance notes and resource packs for all schools on the teaching of CEGS.

History

Careers education in secondary schools began in the 1960's for years 8, 9 and 10 pupils. Before then, English departments taught pupils how to fill out applications and prepare for interviews. The subject gained increasing importance from the 1970's onwards and in the late 1990s, Careers and Education Guidance Studies (CEGS) was made a compulsory part of the curriculum for all pupils.

Considerations

Where government legislation takes place

Although CEGS was made a core curriculum subject, no guidance was given as to how it should be taught, and in some schools there was little or no actual teaching of the subject. It became obvious at the start of the 21st century that some schools were pushing their own agendas. Schools were persuading youngsters to stay on rather than go to the local further education college. Government set out to address this problem with the 2007-8 Educations and Skills Bill, which stated that schools and colleges "must not unduly promote any particular options over any others."

Benefits

Careers guidance is designed to prepare young people for their life after school and in the world of work. Government's recognition that some schools were partisan in their interpretation of CEGS eventually led to their acknowledgement that "the greatest potential for improving CEGS delivery lies in driving up the quality and relevance of careers education in schools."

Effects

Guidance for careers had become partisan in schools because there were no clear guidelines as to where it should fit within the curriculum, nor how it should be taught. A formal consultation between the government and the heads of all schools and pupil referral units in summer 2009 led to the production of formal guidance notes and a set of resources for all schools and referral units.

Potential

The ways in which CEGS in secondary schools has improved should benefit pupils enormously and give them the confidence to progress with their education and make their personal contribution to society as fulfilled individuals. The government has given advice to heads of all schools and pupil referral units as to how the guidance should be carried out and how they might "meet their statutory duties in relation to careers education and..ensure that the young people for whom they are responsible receive the support that they need."

References

• A Short History of Careers Education Policy in England
• Career Advice Must Be Impartial
• Statutory Guidance: Impartial Careers Education
• Full Report: Statutory Guidance Impartial Careers Education