Minister for Skills sets out his three priorities for careers education

Minister for Skills sets out his three priorities for careers education

Minister for Skills, Apprenticeships, and Higher Education, Robert Halfon MP, gave evidence this week to the Education Select Committee’s inquiry into careers education, information, advice and guidance.

Robert Halfon set out his three priorities as Minister for Skills. First, he wanted to see a clear and unified career system accessible to all. This, he said, starts with high quality careers advice in schools and colleges. The minister mentioned the importance of the Gatsby benchmarks as setting a foundation for standards, and wanted to see a single digital careers service, to bring together careers and skills related services.

Secondly, Halfon emphasised the importance of raising technical and vocational qualifications to the same level as academic qualifications. To achieve this, he wanted children and young people to have greater exposure to the workplace.

Finally, Robert Halfon said that social justice must be at the heart of skills and careers education. He said it is vital to target cold spots in support to close the skills gap, targeting especially those from disadvantaged backgrounds and those in alternative provision. Additionally, he wanted quality career learning to begin in primary schools.

Chair of the committee, Robin Walker MP, asked the minister what the Department for Education was doing to assess progress on these priorities. He noted that only 12% of schools were meeting all the Gatsby benchmarks, asking if accountability on careers education should be more rigorous.

Halfon responded by saying that 85% of schools were progressing against some of the benchmarks, and many schools were meeting half. He said while the benchmarks may need adapting in places, the impact had been clear, as it had helped increase apprenticeship uptake, and where the benchmarks were being used lowered the rates of those not in employment or training. 

On accountability, the minister said that Ofsted already had a career focus in inspections. He added that the DfE is reviewing and refining the benchmarks, with a consultation due to finish in 2024. He said that the previous careers strategy had set the foundations, and that the Schools Bill was now building on that.