Gatsby and The Careers & Enterprise Company research shows the impact of Careers Leaders

New research published last week (12 July 2019) has revealed overwhelming positivity about the future of careers provision in secondary schools, the Gatsby Benchmarks and the impact of Careers Leaders on young people.

Carried out on behalf of the Gatsby Foundation and The Careers & Enterprise Company, the research is based on a survey of 750 secondary school Careers Leaders, the first study of its kind since the Government’s Careers Strategy and statutory guidance made the role a requirement for schools and colleges. The need for a trained Careers Leader in each school or college to plan and oversee career guidance, with the backing of the senior leadership team, was originally highlighted in Gatsby’s Good Career Guidance report.

The main findings from Careers Leaders are:

• 94% say that the Gatsby Benchmarks have helped to improve career guidance
• 88% say their role is having a positive impact on young peoples’ outcomes
• 81% feel positive about the future of careers provision
• 75% think careers provision has improved since the Careers Strategy

The research also uncovered the difference made by giving Careers Leaders more time to devote to their role. Schools setting aside the most time, such as full-time equivalent hours, were found to achieve around one extra Benchmark on average. Similarly, allowing Careers Leaders to attend role-specific training improves careers guidance - schools with trained and qualified Careers Leaders scored more highly on three of the Benchmarks.

Finally, the research shows that the majority of Careers Leaders have the backing of the school leadership team.

Sir John Holman, Senior Adviser to the Gatsby Foundation and author of the Good Career Guidance report, said:

“The pilot of the Gatsby Benchmarks in the North East of England showed us that the key success factor is having an effective Careers Leader, with access to the senior leadership of the school or college.

“It is very encouraging to see that schools are truly making this role a priority, and that those in post feel so confident about the future. This research gives valuable insight into how Careers Leaders can be best supported and enabled to do their job, which is critical to the future of every young person in the school.”

For the full report, please see here.