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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Fuelling Futures: a guide to supporting SEND for Small and Medium-sized Enterprises
A practical guide to help employers provide workplace experiences, including supported internships and supported apprenticeships, for young people with SEND.
Fulfilling Futures
Developed in collaboration by Complete Careers LLP and Greenwood Academies Trust.
This resource is to help learners to prepare for the challenge ahead from education to employment in a competitive job market. This is primarily an information resource with links to activities, videos, and further reading. It has skills and activities logs, a checklist, and an action plan at the end of the resource to record progress. It is designed for independent use either in school or at home.
FutureGoals Spotlight resource
Students will work in small teams to complete a wide range of tasks in order to stage the biggest and best festival ever! Working alongside leading practitioners, a series of free resources, lesson plans, films and activities have been created to bust the myths surrounding careers in the creative sector and provide a wider understanding of the less traditional, yet in-demand, roles.
Futurum Careers: Online Resource and Magazine
Futurum Careers is a free online resource and magazine aimed at introducing 14-19-year-olds worldwide to the world of work in STEM (science, tech, engineering, maths, medicine) and SHAPE (social sciences, humanities and the arts for people and the economy). We collaborate with academics all over the world and translate their research into education and careers resources that can be used in the classroom, at home and in STEM and SHAPE clubs.
Gatsby Benchmark toolkit – colleges
Identify what ‘good’ looks like across all eight Gatsby Benchmarks, see useful case studies, and follow practical suggestions for putting the benchmarks into practice.
Gatsby Benchmark toolkit – schools
Access case studies of best practice in schools, as well as tips and practical suggestions for successfully implementing the eight Gatsby Benchmarks.
Gatsby Benchmark toolkit – SEND
If you are working to deliver the Gatsby Benchmarks for young people with SEND – in any setting – you will find lots of practical help in this toolkit.
globalbridge
globalbridge is a unique platform, built by teachers, that helps young people evidence their talents, experiences and aspirations whilst also helping them connect with opportunities, regardless of their background.
Green Careers Hour
Green Careers Hour – A broadcast for young people in schools and colleges
Guidance for Middle Schools
Interpreting the Gatsby Benchmarks and Compass Completion Guidance (Updated 2021)
The guidance takes Middle School Careers Leaders through how to respond to the sub benchmark questions when completing your self-evaluation on Compass or Compass+.
Guide for Education Leaders in schools and colleges
For Education Leaders, highlighting priority areas to maximise the impact of careers and the support and resources available.
HOSW mentoring programme
Raise aspirations and improve personal development within students by using this mentoring programme, which has been developed by the Heart of the South West (HOTSW).