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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MSMF Employer videos: Ubisoft
This resource links to a series of videos to raise understanding of Ubisoft as a company as part of the My Skills My Future programme.
MSMF Employer Videos: SONY
This resource contains links to a series of videos to support understanding around SONY as an employer as part of the My Skills My Future programme.
MSMF Employer projects: The Depot, Lewes Cinema
Developed as part of the My Skills My Future programme this is a simple task to support young people with SEND to understand elements of the business in the retail sector.
MSMF Employer projects: Marriott International
This project is part of the My Skills My Future programme and looks at Marriott International as a Company to raise awareness.
MSMF Employer projects: Hugglepets
This resource from Hugglepets contains a number of activities that enable a young person to look into more detail at animal care. They are featured in the My Skills My Future programme.
MSMF Employer projects: GM Monk Electricians
Developed by the team at GM Monk Electricians, this easy to use project is designed to support understanding of a task performed by an Electrician and is part of the My Skills My Future programme.
MSMF Employer projects: Catcote Academy
This page contains resources for the Employer project section of the My Skills My Future programme designed by the team at Catcote Academy a Special School in Tees Valley.
MSMF Employer projects: BAM NUTTAL renewable energy
Developed by Bam Nuttal this is an employer project which features in the My Skills My Future programme and is around renewable energy. Targeted at Career SEND Group 2, this activity is suitable for those typically likely to take GCSE or Level 2 equivalent qualifications.
Activity linked to TV SEND
Developed by the Inspiring Worcestershire Careers Hub team this resource has been specifically designed to be used as a discussion activity with SEND students around a TV programme linked to the world of work.
A - Z of jobs activity SEND
Developed by the Inspiring Worcestershire Careers Hub team, this activity will enable SEND students to begin to learn how to research information regarding different job roles of interest to them.
A Future STEM
A Future STEM is a collection of STEM subject careers activities linked to employability skills.
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.