Mon, 14 Apr 2014The guidelines, published by the Department of Education, advise schools to forge strong links with employers. This advice is one of a number of suggestions made by the department as part of the government’s efforts to improve career guidance to young people.

The quality of career guidance in the UK has come under fire, with recruiters and employers suggesting that major improvements are needed to help young people make the transition from education into work.

The Department of Education says the aim of the guidelines “is to help all schools to learn from the best by sharing best practice”.

Under the heading “Making links with employers”, the guidelines say: “Establishing a planned programme of employer engagement will give pupils the opportunity to hear directly from professionals and be inspired by role models.” It also suggests that schools have a named contact on their website for employers that want to get involved.

The guidelines encourage schools to ask themselves a number of key questions. These include:

• Does the school give employers a voice in the classroom?

• Does the school arrange visits to workplaces and make high-quality work experience available?

• Do pupils have access to impartial information and advice on a broad range of options, including apprenticeships, entrepreneurialism and vocational routes alongside A levels and university, to support informed decisions at key transition points?