University report calls for better approach to career guidance

A more strategic and professional approach to career guidance is needed from the Government, according to a new report by the University of Derby.

The report, called ‘Investing in Careers – What is Career Guidance Worth?’, calls on the Government to offer everyone in England access to lifelong career guidance backed by a ‘Career Guidance Guarantee’.

The report was recently launched by the Career Policy Development Group (made up of sector organisations who have a strategic interest in career guidance, of which the university is a founding member) at the House of Lords.

Professor Kathryn Mitchell CBE, vice-chancellor of the University of Derby, who was at the launch event, said: “Career guidance is a powerful tool when resourced well.

“This report clearly outlines a costed blueprint for government and demonstrates the significant difference a small amount of additional investment could make to enhance the lives of young people and adults in England.

“This way of thinking about career guidance will, we hope, change the narrative – from seeing career guidance essentially as a cost, to one of seeing it as an investment which will have a significant impact on individuals and the economy.”

The university’s report sets out three key principles that should guide the future of the careers system: a more strategic approach to ensure that public money is being well spent, a need to professionalise the system and guarantee quality, and an increase in resources and assurance that it is being directed to where it is most needed.

According to the report, £68 is currently spent per person, per year on the delivery of career guidance to young people, with an equivalent figure in 2009 (adjusted for inflation) of £159.

£26 per person, per year is currently spent on the delivery of career guidance to adults. The equivalent figure in 2009 (adjusted for inflation) was £35.

To implement the ‘Career Guidance Guarantee’ in full, the report states an additional £315 million needs to be spent on youth careers services and an additional £235 million on adult careers services.

This equates to an average additional spend of £47 per person on career guidance for young people and an additional £6 per head on working age adults.

Professor Siobhan Neary, head of The International Centre for Guidance Studies at the University of Derby and a co-author of the report, said: “The Career Guidance Guarantee’s overarching message is simple: career guidance helps people manage their life, learning and work.

“As well as personal development, career guidance has an important role to play in supporting the efficient functioning of the labour market, skills alignment and enhanced economic and social benefits.

“Our report demonstrates that investment into career guidance has decreased over the years, and we are calling on the Government to recognise the benefits of the Guarantee and how it can contribute to developing a more cohesive career guidance system in England.”