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
Filter by:
Category
SEND
Gatsby benchmarks
Key stage
Campaigns
Type
Resource type
Role
I am a...
Sector Spotlight Sessions
This resource was developed by Changing Education to shine a spotlight on different sectors in a quick and easy to use way.
Sci4Us Interviews
Sci4Us have launched a video series, challenging professionals to explain their job at 3-levels: primary school, secondary school and GCSE.
Schools Get LinkedIn
Developed by the team in Leicester and Leicestershire Enterprise Partnership this resource contains a link to a webinar, savvy tips and employer engagement guide.
Resource 7: Gathering feedback and learnings from activities
This is the final resource in our Supporting Employers: Working with Young People with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) collection.
This resource looks at how you can reflect on the activities and ensures you are able to gather feedback that can inform future provision.
Resource 6: Guidance on choosing and planning an activity
This is the sixth resource in our Supporting Employers: Working with Young People with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) collection.
This resource takes you through some tips on choosing and planning activity when working with young people with SEND. It also contains useful checklists for when you choose your activity to support its implementation.
Resource 5: Gaining Support from different stakeholders
This is the fifth resource in our Supporting Employers: Working with Young People with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) collection.
In this resource you can gain some understanding about how to gain support from stakeholders including colleagues and Senior Leaders in schools.
Resource 4: Tips for effective communication
This is the fourth resource in our Supporting Employers: Working with Young People with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) collection.
This resource contains tips on how to ensure effective communication when working with Schools, Special Schools and Colleges. It also looks at some questions you might want to ask to enable you to build an effective relationship.
Resource 2: The benefits and challenges
This is the second resource in our Supporting Employers: Working with Young People with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) collection.
This resource talks about the business benefits of working with young people with SEND and looks at the barriers and misconceptions that can be in place and how these can be overcome.
Research your future Activity SEND
This resource has been developed by the team at Inspiring Worcestershire and contains an activity for SEND students around researching their future.
Reimagining - Experiences of the Workplace
Developed by Shoreham Academy.
A set of resources designed to support both educators and employers to reimagine students’ experiences of the workplace. Containing practical guides and templates which can provide inspiration for a range of meaningful project-based activities.
You can also find a link below to our ‘Future Workplace’ webinar which highlighted these resources as part of a wider session looking at the implications (for educators and employers) of the post pandemic workplace.
PwC Employability Toolkit
Free lesson plans to support your students in developing key skills.
Primary Career Resources
Career-related learning in primary schools includes activities designed to give pupils a wide range of experiences of education, transitions and the world of work.