GATSBY BENCHMARK 7
Encounters with Further and Higher Education
WHAT GOOD LOOKS LIKE
All students should understand the full range of learning opportunities that are available to them. This includes academic and vocational routes and learning in schools, colleges, universities and the workplace.
- By the age of 16, every pupil should have had a meaningful encounter with a provider of the full range of learning opportunities.
- By the age of 18, all students who are considering applying for university should have had at least two visits to universities to meet staff and students.
WHY THIS MATTERS
The UK’s future depends on educating all our young people to the full extent of their capabilities.
- Raising aspirations and attainment is a key challenge for the education system – even when students have high aspirations, some schools work very hard to develop the aspirational capabilities in their students, which will enable them to achieve personally valued outcomes.
- Less than 10% of young white males in receipt of free school meals are progressing to higher education.
- Graduates are more likely to report higher job satisfaction, be in work and earn more than non-graduates over a working lifetime.
TOP TIPS FOR EMPLOYERS
- Outreach activities cannot be left to higher education institutions alone – employers can help tackle the deep-seated cultural and social reasons why young people from disadvantaged backgrounds are in danger of being left behind.
- Highlight the significance of advanced further and higher education qualifications, including higher and degree level apprenticeships in your industry or sector.
- Check with your professional body and/or HR department to ensure that you are passing on accurate and up-to-date information about the qualifications that are recognised in your industry and the wide range of entry points and routes.
- Recognise that many parents still have an outmoded view of apprenticeships and may not have been to university or know how they have changed. Use your knowledge to bring them up to date.
- Draw on your experience of applying for courses and jobs to pass on valuable advice to young people about being enterprising, determined and resilient when searching for apprenticeships or choosing higher education.
- Anticipate the kinds of questions students may ask you. Asking direct questions about salary is not unusual so you may want to come armed with generalised information about salary ranges!