What good looks like
Every student should have multiple opportunities to learn from employers about work, employment and the skills that are valued in the workplace. This can be through a range of enrichment activities including visiting speakers, mentoring and enterprise schemes, and should include students’ own part time employment where it exists.
- Every year, from the age of 11, pupils should participate in at least one meaningful encounter* with an employer.
- Every year, alongside their study programme, students in colleges should participate in at least two meaningful encounters with an employer. At least one encounter should be delivered through their curriculum area.
- Colleges should record and take account of students’ own part time employment and the influence this has had on their development.
*A ‘meaningful encounter’ is one in which the student has the opportunity to learn about what work is like or what it takes to be successful in the workplace.
Why this matters
“Links have been demonstrated between young people’s engagement with the world of work through career talks and their GCSE attainment.” Motivated to achieve: How encounters with the world of work can change attitudes and improve academic achievement – Education and Employers
“a young person who has four or more meaningful encounters with an employer is 86% less likely to be unemployed or not in education or training and can earn up to 22% more during their career” Motivated to achieve: How encounters with the world of work can change attitudes and improve academic achievement – Education and Employers
Careers Leaders:
Getting started with BM5
- Be clear about priority careers knowledge, understanding and application based on student needs and school priorities. Use this to shape and communicate planned intent for all employer encounters.
- Set clear learning aims and outcomes for all employer encounters by following the Making it Meaningful Checklist.
- Refer to the LLEP Employer Engagement Guide and seek support from your Enterprise Co-ordinator in building long-lasting relationships with local businesses who can support you in the delivery of meaningful employer encounters.
- Use the resource and support featured in the My Learning My Future and My Skills My Future Guides to encourage curriculum staff to use employer encounters which highlight the relevance of subjects and specific learning to engage students and support progress.
Training
All Careers Leaders require Outstanding training
For further support with Benchmark 1 register for our fully funded Careers Leader training
Download our Training Catalogue which includes all the information you need and a helpful comparison guide on the 11 high-quality Training Providers we work with. Here you will be able to choose the right course to suit you and your development, so that you can embed a successful careers programme in your school/college.
Once you have chosen the right course and Training Provider for you, you are all set to register!
Careers in Context: Can Do Approaches
To include an activity under Benchmark 5, it must meet the following minimum requirements:
- Learning outcomes are defined, based on the age and needs of students
- The encounter involves two-way interaction between students and employers/employees
- There is evidence that the student actively participated
Opportunity:
Maximise the value of employer encounters by setting clear learning aims linked to school priorities for all employer encounters
Practical resource and support:
- Consider using this template ‘Proposal’ document to make a case to SLT for time, resource, support for careers guidance
- Connect with providers who can support you in facilitating bespoke employer encounters to respond to the specific needs of your cohorts and region
- Apply the principles of the Making it Meaningful checklist to planning for all employer encounters
Education Leaders and Governors:
Education Leaders and Governors: For further information on each Benchmark, to support you in your role, please see the Education Leader, Secondary and College Governor Guides
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Effective employer mentoring
This research is available to support anyone who is involved in mentoring to better understand good practice.
Employability skills videos
This resource has been developed by the East Sussex Careers Hub team and contains 10 videos to support understanding of the link between the world of work and employability skills.
Employer Education Outreach: Starter pack resources
These resources are designed to be used in conjunction with the guide - Employer education outreach: A starter pack. They’re aimed at employers just starting to work with schools, special schools and colleges. They’ll support you to provide meaningful opportunities that help young people gain a taste of the working world.
Employer Prospectus
This Employer Prospectus was developed by Featherstone High School to give employers and education/training providers an overview of opportunities for engagement in the upcoming academic year.
The Employer Prospectus is uploaded to the school's dedicated careers webpage, and printed copies are also distributed after events at the school.
Endeavour Career Insight Films
Developed by Endeavour Training.
This resource is a set of employability films for young people and parents. The films are focussed on opportunities in Sheffield and the surrounding areas but have elements which are universal across all areas.
Enterprise Advisers: Ideas for supporting schools
Developed by Somerset Careers Hub.
This resource details the ways in which Enterpriser Advisers could support schools to develop their careers programme. Ideas have been categorised under each specific benchmark.
Example Careers Calendar of events 2023/24
This is an editable overview for an academic year of events and specific weeks across the country to support in planning events and the development of a careers education programme.
Explore Apprenticeships – Free Online Course
Created in partnership with The Careers & Enterprise Company, #ExploreApprenticeships is a free online course supporting young people wanting to learn more about apprenticeships as a career path.
FES Connect Activity
‘FES Connect’ is a national community for Post 16 careers leaders and practitioners, supporting development and sharing of best practice to ensure every learner is supported to find their next best step.
An opportunity to share examples of what's working well across the country in careers education via online seminars, newsletters showcasing best practice and an FES Connect chat board.
Click here to register.
Find an Activity Provider tool
This portal lists organisations that have activities that meet Gatsby Benchmark 5 (encounters with employers and employees) and Benchmark 6 (experience of workplaces).
Find Your Space: STEM Careers Resources
A careers resource package, featuring videos from a broad range of people working in the space sector along with PowerPoint presentation, teacher resources, student worksheet and ideas for hosting a mini careers event.
Finding Your Futures
Developed by the National SEND Employment Forum these videos are aimed at introducing learners with special educational needs and disabilities (although they are not exclusive to this group) to an array of jobs and sectors.