Good career guidance is critical if young people are to raise their aspirations and capitalise on the opportunities available to them. In 2013 we commissioned Sir John Holman to research what pragmatic actions could improve career guidance in England and subsequently he developed the Good Career Guidance Benchmarks.
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In late 2015 David Sainsbury was asked by government to chair a panel of experts that would provide clear recommendations for measures that would not only improve, but transform, technical education in England. The panel’s report was published alongside the government’s Post-16 Skills Plan in July 2016.
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Technicians are the linchpins of the UK economy. They are skilled people who use their science, engineering or technology knowledge to identify and solve practical problems. They are the electricians and plumbers that we all rely on, but they are also crucial to the success of many of our country’s future-growth areas, including the aerospace, chemical, digital, engineering and manufacturing industries.
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Once in secondary education, exposure to effective science and maths teaching delivered by teachers that are knowledgeable and passionate about their subject can be transformative. That is why we care about the supply and training of specialist teachers in these subjects.
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Good career guidance has never been more important. Changes in technology and in the labour market mean that increasing numbers of jobs require specific education and training, yet career guidance in English schools has often been criticised for being inadequate and patchy.
Technical education offers young people a clear route from school into rewarding technician occupations, and progression to higher education for those who wish to do so. The implementation of the Sainsbury Review recommendations will bring a step-change in the quality of technical education provision in England.
Reform to technical education is a key priority for Gatsby and its success is predicated on a fundamental shift in the public’s perception of and attitude towards technician jobs. Therefore, we undertake work to raise the profile of technicians and promote greater recognition of the importance of their contributions to modern society.
Gatsby staff recently undertook a study visit to Germany to explore technical education in North-Rhine Westphalia and Lower Saxony. We were joined on the visit by senior leaders from FE colleges in England and DfE officials engaged with technical education reform.
A key focus theme for the trip was employer engagement. In order to understand the ways in which employers are involved in the German technical education system, the group met with key stakeholders including government officials, labour market organisations and staff and students from several colleges. One of the meetings which provided significant insight was a visit to Hanebutt; a roofing compa
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Our latest report, looking at how industry placements are structured and implemented in several international technical education systems, was published today (25 February).
The report reveals the findings of a series of study visits conducted by Gatsby, 2016 – 2018. College leaders from across FE and staff from the Department for Education (DfE) joined Gatsby staff on visits to six European countries: Austria, Denmark, Sweden, the Netherlands, Norway and Switzerland, each which take varied approaches in offering industrial placements. At each destination, the
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