Written by Ruth Crane, Access to HE Development Officer at Open Awards
As we celebrate National Careers Week, I reflect on my time as a Careers and Progression Coordinator in FE and the importance of Careers Education.
It goes without saying that providing relevant and impartial Information, Advice and Guidance is crucial for student progression and since the introduction of the Gatsby Benchmarks in 2013, there has been a shift in acknowledging the importance of Careers Education.
Why is Careers Education so important?
Careers Education plays a crucial role in preparing students for transition to HE or Employment.
Raising aspirations and widening participation
Students from low socio-economic backgrounds may not get the opportunities to explore various career pathways unless exposed to them through education. By providing students with various interactions with HEIs and Employers, students are exposed to a variety of pathways that they may not have considered before.
Work experience
Work experience gives students the opportunity to apply their learning to professional settings and prepares students for the transition to the workplace. Here, they can lay the foundations for networking, building relationships and connections that may be useful for future opportunities.
Transition to higher education
Higher Education is structured differently to FE and high school. I found that working closely with Personal Development staff helps to ensure students are not just supported with the application cycle but are also equipped with life skills and supported emotionally as well as logistically with the transition to HE.
What can we do effectively?
Cross collaboration
Although important to have designated Careers staff, Careers Education is the responsibility of everyone in the educational setting. That’s not to say all staff are qualified to give CEIAG, but staff need to work collaboratively to ensure effective delivery of a careers programme and communicate any industry trips or speakers so that all careers' related activity is recorded.
Careers embedded into the curriculum
Careers Education should be integrated into the course rather than a separate timetable and reiterates the need for cross collaboration within the setting. An example of this from my previous role working with students in performing arts is that academic
staff were professionals in their industry and offered audition preparation, professional CV writing for the arts, performing in professional venues and creating portfolios etc as part of the course itself. This was crucial Careers Education that prepared them for entering the creative industries and it wasn’t a 1-hour careers session a week, it was part of their everyday learning.
Level 6 qualifications
Many employees in careers roles do not currently hold a full level 6 Careers Guidance qualification. From my own experience, it is sometimes difficult to get funding when already in careers roles to complete the relevant qualifications needed. Often careers staff are also teaching staff who are tasked with Careers responsibilities in additional to other responsibilities. As the value of Carees Education increases, I hope there is an increase in the value of this qualification and appointing a Careers Lead in educational settings. If you find yourself tasked with Careers responsibilities however, there are some useful resources and CPD that can support. For example, Career Connect offer a great ‘Careers Leader’ course for free and ‘The Careers Leader Handbook’ by Andrews and Hooley is a great resource.
In summary, we should be holding great value to Careers Education, recognising its importance for students' progression.