CEIAG & Careers Leaders
Can we really go forward in the 21stC with such confused young people?
Tuesday 13th August 2013
eeping abreast of the latest news in careers learning can be a confusing business. Take, for instance the two tweets that came through on my feed in the last 24 hours.
Matt Hancock
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@MattHancock
New survey: Employers find Apprentices more employable & 54% of young people would choose an Apprenticeship http://tinyurl.com/mbk4ay4
12:41 PM - Aug 12, 2013
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followed by this one..
Careers England
@CareersEngland
Teenagers feel pressured to apply for university as reduced careers guidance fails to offer alternatives http://mirr.im/14J7VaS
11:31 AM - Aug 13, 2013
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To urge to quote Disraeli springs forth, there are 'Lies, damned lies and statistics' Sorting out which are which is a challenge.
Lets look at the figures, at first glance they seem to be so far apart there can be no reconciliation. 54% would accept an apprenticeship if one were available. vs 78% said they were under considerable pressure to apply to uni and only 3% were thinking of apprenticeships. How can that be? Young people under pressure don't tend to go against the grain without considerable support or reason,
I'd suggest that the different focus group pools have the answer, The BIS survey was conducted by ICM for ( I believe) the National Apprenticeship Service. The figures quoted in the Mirror article are taken from a survey conducted by The Student Room, an online community for those studying A levels and above.
So, in short, we have 2 surveys, both spun in ways to suit the organisations viewpoint. If we, the professionals, are confused by these conflicting statements, what chance do our poor young people have? Can we really go forward in the 21st C with such confused young people?
The only thing I can say for sure is that both surveys point to a need for more careers learning AND careers advice and guidance, Can the government continue to fail to act in the face of such a threat to Britain's workforce effectiveness?
