Background

1. Following the recent general election in England, the duly elected Labour Party has a strong focus on skills and improving productivity but is hampered by 13 years rule by a conservative government that had different ideas and goals. The situation is made worse by England’s relatively poor economic growth since Brexit and the Covid crisis, the latter severely impacting young people – their personal development, mental health and wellbeing. The current labour market stats show:

• 74.5% employment
• 4.2% unemployment (proportionately higher for young people NEET – 1:10)
• 22.2% economic inactivity (largely due to unmet health and social care needs, hugely detrimental to growth, and having a significant negative impact on GDP as these are non-earners and many are claiming social support benefits)
• Job vacancies are relatively high – 900,000.
• 2. Career Development Policy Group (CDPG)  – A coalition of organisations with a strong focus on career guidance and development, representing  – the professional bodies (CDI, AGCAS), a major public sector trade union, iCeGS, the Institute of Student Employers, Association of Colleges (FE), and CRAC  – are regularly meeting to advance the provision of lifelong career guidance and skills support through the development of clear and compelling policy positions, as well as leading co-ordinated campaigns to effect change, speaking with one voice on behalf of the career development sector.

 CDPG approaches include establishing the economic and social value of career guidance, influencing government to regard career guidance as an investment rather than a cost, and recognising the vital role that it plays in addressing major economic and social issues, including social mobility, productivity, and the transition to a net zero economy. The CDPG has been active in presenting original research, liaising with the Department for Education and Department for Work and Pensions through civil servants and politicians, and launching a Career Guidance Guarantee. For more information – https://careerdpg.co.uk/ The CDPG is currently working to arrange meetings with the politicians leading on career guidance initiatives in these government departments. Tristram Hooley and Jan Ellis, members of the Board of ICCDPP, are active members of the CDPG.

Policy Initiatives

1. The new government has announced that it is working to fully integrate the National Careers Service (NCS – the name of the careers service for adults in England) into Jobcentre Plus, the public employment service run by the Department for Work and Pensions. The ambition here is impressive, and encouragingly recognises and raises the profile of career guidance for adults. This will be an interesting project since the NCS is essentially a contracted service provided by private sector contractors/career companies.
2. In 2022 the Labour Party published Learning and skills for economic recovery, social cohesion, and a more equal Britain.  With a focus on creating a culture of lifelong learning, this paper recommends a complete shake-up of the careers service from school through to adult career guidance. Also in 2022, in Prosperity Through Partnership – Labour’s Industrial Strategy, the Labour Party proposed transforming skills and training and reforming the apprenticeships levy to enable young people and older workers gain skills, learn and retrain: “Labour will build a modern careers advice and work experience system; starting with recruiting over 1,000 careers advisers to ensure young people at school and college receive professional careers advice and a minimum guarantee of two-weeks work experience, helping young people to leave education ready for work and for life.”

The how and cost of recruiting 1,000 career advisers is currently being worked through by Department of Education civil servants right now.

 Jan Ellis

Jan.Ellis@Arcamedes.com