Poor levels of career guidance given to those preparing for UK university entry is having a detrimental impact on them and on the businesses who they hope will employ them further down the line.

That is the assertion of Deborah Ribchester, curriculum manager at the Association of Colleges, who stated that it is important to draw a distinction between the services offered by further education colleges and schools.

The former have dedicated teams armed with relevant information that can help students make sensible and informed decisions about their future.

She said that the issue lies with the guidance they receive up to the age of 16.

"It is misleading to equate college careers guidance with that of schools … colleges have to deal with the fallout from poor pre-16 advice and guidance - as do employers and - most importantly - the students themselves," Ms Ribchester added.

According to the Confederation of British Industry/EDI Education and Skills survey, only six per cent of businesses are confident that advice is in schools is good enough, while 64 per cent think it must improve.

Posted by Keith Broomer
 

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