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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Tech We Can, On-demand Lessons
These fun and informative online lessons, delivered by Tech We Can teachers, are aimed at inspiring children aged 8-14 to consider a career in technology.
Teacher CPD delivered by employers. What works?
Teacher continuing professional development (CPD) delivered by employers can refer to a variety of professional development activities where an employer is the primary facilitator of training. But what impact do teacher placements have and what can we learn about lessons in best practice?
Talentino!
Talentino programmes have been helping to improve career outcomes for young people with a range of learning difficulties in a mixture of settings – special schools, mainstream schools, AP, PRU, SEMH, etc.
They also provide great opportunities for learning more, through their regular newsletters, annual SEND Careers Conference, and by publishing free resources.
Step into the NHS
These resources allow students to explore a wide range of careers and help them better understand there is an NHS career for them, no matter their interests and skills.
Stay Nimble
Enhance the careers support you give to students with this online platform –designed to offer valuable career and work performance coaching services.
Springpod
Students can explore hundreds of careers with up to date labour market information. Free and inspiring careers talks and the opportunity to interact and engage with the top employers in the UK.
Spotlight Talks & Videos on Careers – WorldSkills UK
Shining a light on skills for today and the exciting challenges of tomorrow. With a focus on technical education, apprenticeships and skills, this resource seeks to support students with the early steps of career development planning. Working with industry leaders, WorldSkills UK brings you high-quality on-demand video content which will excite your students.
Speakers for Schools: Virtual and onsite work experiences
We connect young people with inspirational, eye opening virtual work experience opportunities with some of the largest employers both locally and nationally.
Skills Builder Partnership Impact Directory
The Skills Builder Partnership brings together educators, employers and organisations around a common approach and mission: to support everyone to build the essential skills to succeed. The Impact Directory celebrates and shares the fantastic work of Skills Builder’s partners.
Shrewsbury Academy My Week of Work programme
An example of how My Week of Work could be adapted and used in your school or college, Shrewsbury Academy structured the programme as compulsory modules, which tutor groups can watch together and engage in follow up discussions, and optional modules which enables learners to choose the sectors and employers they are interested in.
SEND Guess my job activity
Developed by the Inspiring Worcestershire Careers Hub team this resource is aimed at settings with young people with SEND.
SEND Careers Health Checklist
This interactive checklist will support you to think about the Careers provision you have within your SEND setting.