Face-to-face careers advice in schools must be assured, says Hughes

The report’s author, Simon Hughes, who is the government’s advocate for access to education, also recommended that teachers start discussing career options with 10- and 11-year-olds at primary school, while every school and college should be formally linked to at least one higher education institution by the end of 2012.

To prepare young people for education, training and work, Hughes said all students aged between 14 and 16 should be trained in basic financial management and all secondary schools should hold events that bring together careers professionals, parents and students to discuss career, education and training options.  

Meanwhile, all secondary schools and colleges should develop networks of former pupils willing to come back into school to advise young people and answer questions about careers, studies or life in general after school or college.

The National Scholarship Programme will provide help with the cost of attending university to students from disadvantaged backgrounds from autumn 2012.

Hughes suggested that the majority of scholarships available through this scheme should be allocated directly to every non-fee-paying English school and college.

Hughes said he hoped his report would help quell the "widespread concern" that fee increases at English universities would prevent young people from accessing higher education.

"The message I have heard from young people around the country is clear; we need better careers advice, starting early, and with parents as well as students given better information about going to university," he said.

"It is crucial that decisions about higher education are made on the basis of costs and benefits and not fees, debts and loans. The next six months are vital and there is all to play for. With energy and imagination from all concerned, there is every reason for more people to see higher education as an opportunity that is right for them." 

But Jon Richards, Unison’s senior national officer for higher education, warned that cuts to careers services will make Hughes’ vision hard to achieve.

"Young people are facing a future with difficult choices, with cuts to education, hikes in university fees and rising unemployment," he said. "If the government continues to cut careers services we will be left with a lost generation."

"The government is just playing lip-service to the need for a face-to-face careers service, when they are failing to put their money where their mouth is. Delivering much-needed, tailor-made careers advice must be properly planned for and funded."

Christine Blower, general secretary of the National Union of Teachers, said careers services need more funding to be effective.

"It needs to be properly funded for both schools and colleges," she said. "It should also be face-to-face advice rather than an emphasis on online information that is presently being proposed by government."

She added that funding is still the biggest barrier to young people participating in education and training.

"Cutting the education maintenance allowance and the raising of tuition fees to such an astronomical level has put up the biggest barrier to young people being able to continue with their studies," she said. "Encouragement and advice will not pay bills or buy food and books, and it is an issue that needs to be urgently addressed."

Homelessness charity Centrepoint welcomed Hughes’ call for face-to-face careers guidance for all young people.

"Our experience suggests that this kind of support, linked to advice on health and finance, is vital in making sure that all young people are able to make informed decisions about their future, said Centrepoint chief executive Seyi Obakin. "The onus is now on the government to back these recommendations and turn them into a reality."