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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Podcast: Creative Industry
Join Emily Maguire as she hosts lively conversations with entertainment professionals from all corners of the creative industry. In each episode, Emily explores her guests’ career journeys and passions for their roles.
People On Work YouTube Channel
People on Work showcases people talking about their relationship with their work. Our YouTube channel already features over 150 interviews with people from all walks of life answering our “3 Golden Questions”:
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Passport to Retail
Developed by Inspiring Worcestershire. Passport to Retail has been designed with the student’s progression at the forefront. This brilliant project will take students on a tour around the Retail industry, learning about key areas from customer services to stock rotation to build their knowledge and skill in preparation for the workplace.
Passport to Hospitality
Developed by Inspiring Worcestershire.
Passport to Hospitality has been designed with the student’s progression at the forefront. This brilliant project will take students on a tour around the Hospitality industry, learning about not only what services are classed as hospitality, it's history but what careers and entry level roles are available within the sector.
Passport to Health and Social Care
Developed by Inspiring Worcestershire.
Passport to Health and Social Care has been designed with the student’s progression at the forefront. This brilliant project will take the students on a tour around the Care sector, learning about different areas of Health and Social Care, the skills and knowledge involved and what careers and job roles are available within the sector.
Passport to Digital
Developed by Inspiring Worcestershire.
Passport to Digital has been designed with the student’s progression at the forefront. This brilliant project will take students on a tour around the digital industry, learning about key areas from digital communication to cyber security to build their knowledge and skill in preparation for the workplace.
Parent Pledge Campaign
Developed by the team at Inspiring Worcestershire this resource aims to engage parents in supporting delivery of career related activities across a whole school or college.
Panjango Trumps
Panjango Trumps is the fun way to explore the world of work!
Our unique twist on the classic Top Trumps game pits 50 different careers against each other in a battle of stats.
OAT: Making Work Experience Work for All
These resources have been developed by Ormiston Academy Trust as part of a work experience project, to support the amplification of Technical and Vocational Education routes in Alternative Provision settings.
NTLT - Vocational Pathways
These resources have been developed by North Tyneside Learning Trust as part of a transition project. Based on four growth areas a vocational box has been created for download.
New World New Skills: Virtual Schools Series
Designed for secondary school students, this programme aims to support them in developing their skills for the future and making the most of their potential in their chosen career.
NatWest Dream Bigger Webinars
A series of three webinars aimed at developing entrepreneurial skills in young females aged 16 – 18 yrs.