This Teach First report highlights significant concern amongst businesses and teachers about how prepared young people are for the world of work – particularly following the Covid-19 pandemic. It highlights teachers’ belief that improved careers education could raise pupil awareness of career pathways and reduce the amount of young people classified as Not in Education, Employment or Training (NEET).
The research reveals that eight in 10 teachers (79%) believe their pupils are less ready for the world of work when compared to previous years, while more than half of teachers in schools with the most disadvantaged pupils (55%) believe the pandemic has negatively affected pupils’ perceptions of their career prospects.
British businesses also share this concern, with over half (56%) saying they are concerned that ‘lost learning’ from the pandemic will exacerbate the skills shortage amongst pupils and students.
While grades are hugely important, the research suggests that other skills are also highly valued by employers. When asked to select the top three skills that they would consider most if recruiting young people, they were most likely to choose broader soft skills (69%), literacy and numeracy (54%), and digital and IT skills (48%). However, when asked to give their assessment of the preparedness of current school, college and university leavers, 72% of businesses said that they were concerned about their level of soft skills. They also reported concerns about the level of literacy and numeracy (68%) and digital and IT skills (52%).
Children on free school meals are currently twice as likely to be NEET at age 18-24 compared to those not (26% compared to 13%)