Project
Examining the quality of career guidance in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough
Jul 21, 2020
This report examines the provision of career guidance in schools and colleges in the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough region. Findings are informed by an online survey of 54 secondary schools and colleges in the region and interviews with 10 career guidance service providers. The findings draw attention to challenges faced by schools and providers operating in the region, informing the development of recommendations to improve careers guidance.
Research with schools and providers of career guidance services in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough
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This report, commissioned by Cambridge Ahead, examines the provision of career guidance in schools and colleges in the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough area. Findings are informed by analyses of primary data collected via an online survey of staff at 54 secondary schools and colleges in the region and interviews with 10 career guidance service providers. Most schools in the region have a careers programme in place, offering a wide range of activities and opportunities. However, schools seem to prioritise academic over technical and vocational career routes, do not sufficiently cover matters related to job demands and working life, and rarely integrate parents into career guidance provision. Some of the schools indicated that they had experienced challenges building relationships with local employers, for instance in relation to arranging work experience for students or engaging employers as mentors. Schools can be overwhelmed by the range of choices in terms of external providers of career guidance services and the complex funding landscape. Schools also face challenges in assessing the quality of services provided by external providers and monitoring the longer-term outcomes and impact of career guidance activities.
Chapter One
Introduction
Chapter Two
Research findings
Chapter Three
Conclusions and recommendations
Chapter Four
References
Chapter Five
Appendices
The research was commissioned by Cambridge Ahead and conducted by RAND Europe.
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