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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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.
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.
icould
Use this content-rich website to inform and inspire young people’s career choices – featuring over 1,000 videos of real people talking about their careers.
The WOW Show
Take advantage of this flexible and valuable teaching tool, which offers the unique capacity to capture the attention of a wide student audience.
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.
My Week of Work: Wednesday
Introducing the world of Marketing. These lessons cover innovative thinking, creativity, marketing campaigns and promoting yourself as a brand.
My Week of Work: Tuesday
Introducing the world of Human Resources. These lessons cover work/life balance, dealing with stress at work and self-reflection, considering which careers options would suit you.
Inspiring Worcestershire SEND resources
Inspiring Worcestershire Careers Hub have developed a number of resources for SEND as part of the work in the SEND Community of 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.
East Sussex Careers Hub SEND resources
On this page you will find resources developed by the East Sussex Careers Hub to support people working with young people with SEND. Some of these are featured as content in the My Skills My Future programme.
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.
SEND Careers Health Checklist
This interactive checklist will support you to think about the Careers provision you have within your SEND setting.