ASPIRES 2 Project Spotlight: year 11 students' views of careers education and work experience

This report highlights students’ (aged 15-16) opinions regarding their experiences of careers education and work experience. The findings highlight low levels of careers education and work experience taking place: fewer than half of all students surveyed took part in work experience and  fewer than two-thirds received career guidance. Only 57% of students were satisfied with the careers education they experienced, but it was noted that those who experienced careers education were more satisfied.

Findings also show that girls, minority ethnic, working-class, lower-attaining and students who are unsure of their aspirations or who plan to leave education post-16 are all significantly less likely to report receiving careers education.

These findings suggest that there is a greater demand for more and better careers education, especially for those most disadvantaged groups.

The report argues that careers provision is not just ‘patchy’, but is ‘patterned’ – particularly in terms of social inequalities, and that careers education is not currently reaching those most in need of it.