This document summarizes a three-phase project by the Pearson Think Tank called "Careers2020" that aims to explore how young people can best be supported to plan and progress into their futures. Phase one involved reviewing evidence on careers work in schools. Phase two surveyed schools on careers activities and found a mixed picture with some declines. Phase three will involve developing innovative ideas for the future of careers work. The project seeks to improve careers education and support for all students.

1. Careers2020 - implications for FE and
skills practitioners
LSIS: Engaging with Employability and Career
Development
7th March 2013
Louis Coiffait, Head of Research
@LouisMMCoiffait
The Pearson Think Tank
thepearsonthinktank.com

2. The Pearson Think Tank
 Independent think tank focused on education access and quality
 Ongoing programme of research and thought-leadership e.g.
 The Academies Commission (with the RSA)
 Enterprise and Entrepreneurship Education
 Blue Skies, on the future of higher education
 Rational Numbers: Maths to 18?, on compulsory maths
 Ongoing policy intelligence, analysis and comment e.g. Policy Watch
 Participate in key education debates, provide a platform for ideas
 All of our content and activities are free

3. The Careers 2020 project
Scoping out how young people can best be supported to plan for,
and progress into, their futures.

4. Phase one (published)
Mapping existing knowledge and evidence
The first phase of the project, conducted
with iCeGs, features an evidence-based
review of careers work covering recent
history, the current situation, a menu of
possible options for schools, and
recommendations for how careers work
can be strategically integrated across
everything schools do, including the
curriculum.

5. Phase one (published)
Mapping existing knowledge and evidence
Whole-school strategic priority?
Curriculum-led?
Supported?
Monitored?

6. Phase two (currently writing up)
Comparing recent activity with future plans
The next phase surveyed a nationally representative sample of
those involved in school based careers activities
Explore which careers activities recently took place in schools and
which they are planning to deliver in the future.
How has provision changed over three time periods?
-Previous years
-Last academic year (2011/12)
-This academic year (2012/13
Which activities are being delivered? (building on the ‘menu’).
What age groups is careers being delivered to?
What partners are schools working with?

7. Phase two (currently writing up)
Comparing recent activity with future plans
Hoping to publish by May but a few early findings below…
Overall a very mixed picture – a careers postcode lottery?
Non-selective state school respondents relatively negative / hit hard
A few areas where school-based activity has increased…
…but in more cases there is a decline in activity this academic year
Among the hardest-hit activities were;
 careers-related resources
 work experience (unsurprisingly given recent policy direction)
 Face to face careers guidance (lack of funding, support orgs or time)
Scope to do more with younger learners and after GCSEs
Respondents were very confident schools could provide impartial
advice

8. Phase three
New thinking about the future of careers
The final phase aims to work with different stakeholder groups to co-
create innovative new ideas about the long-term future of careers work.
Asking questions such as…
 What are the objectives?
 How could they be achieved?
 What are the different models and actors?
 What is the role of technology?
 What are the economic and social costs of poor careers services?
 What lessons can we learn from other sectors or countries?

9. Thank you!
Find out more about the project, add your
own comments and sign up for occasional
email updates on our website.
You can also use the #Careers2020 hashtag
…any questions?

10. Thank you!
Find out more about the project, add your
own comments and sign up for occasional
email updates on our website.
You can also use the #Careers2020 hashtag
…any questions?