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Career opportunities

The new IAG strategy aims to modernise careers education to make it accessible for today’s generation of young people.

It also aims to keep pace with a rapidly changing economy, and to make sure every young person, whatever their background, can aim for the top.

The strategy sets out plans for:

• ensuring every young person will get careers education up to the age of 18
• piloting the teaching of careers in primary schools
• pursuing the ambition that every young person has access to a mentor
• providing better online access to careers advice through Facebook, You Tube, blogs and forums and a new dedicated online mentoring scheme
• providing more help for disadvantaged and disabled young people in accessing work experience
• providing support and resources for schools and parents to engage with young people from an early age to talk about career opportunities
• a £10 million fund to support innovative ways of delivering careers education.

The Department for Children, Schools and Families is trialling career-related learning in 38 primary schools this year. The trials will encourage pupils and parents to talk about careers and education choices early, during the final years of primary school. This will help prepare young people to choose the right subject options at 14.

Innovative careers information, advice and guidance

Much of the strategy focuses on delivering better online IAG, including:

• IAG on Facebook, You Tube, blogs and other social networking sites
• improving Connexions Direct with moderated chat-rooms and web-cam facility so that young people can have face to face conversations with an adviser
• an apprenticeships website to help young people search and apply for apprenticeships online
• improved online information for parents, with dedicated pages for parents through Connexions Direct

Businesses, charities and voluntary organisations are being invited to bid for a share of a £10 million fund that will support innovative approaches to delivering careers education and inspiring young people, particularly those from deprived backgrounds.

An end to the old boys network

Ed Balls, Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families, said: “Many people have anecdotal experiences of really bad careers advice and often say if they had their chance again they would have done something different. I want this generation of young people to be able to look back and say their careers advice and guidance was relevant and gave them informed options.

"Parents tell us they want their children to have the chance to succeed whether their strengths are practical, academic or both. That’s why young people today can choose between Diplomas, GCSEs, A levels, apprenticeships and university. And they will often make choices based on informal contacts from friends and family so parents play a vital role.

"Parents tell us they want to see an end to the old boys network that means only children from privileged backgrounds get their foot in the door. My aspiration is that every young person will have a mentor so that they can get expert direction and all primary children visiting or finding out more about universities.”

Sir Alex Ferguson, manager of Manchester United Football club, said: “When I was a young footballer my father insisted I did an apprenticeship. Without this advice and qualification I would not be where I am today. I think all young people should do apprenticeships if they don’t want to go to university or start working. They provide a real route into all sorts of work opportunities.”

Further information

• Getting advice about your learning and work options (young people section)

• The IAG Guarantee Opens new window