Government failing young people over careers advice

UNISON, the UK’s largest union today challenged the Government to eradicate the postcode lottery in careers guidance by giving schools the financial support they need to deliver a quality service.
 
Commenting on Nick Clegg’s call for tougher sanctions on schools not providing a quality careers service, Jon Richards, UNISON Head of Education, said:
 
“It is a bit rich for Nick Clegg to talk about schools facing tougher requirements to provide decent careers advice.  He is part of the Government who systematically dismantled the Connexions service, which provided dedicated, professional careers guidance to young people.
 
“Putting out guidance is all very well but schools do not have the funding, the trained staff or capacity to deliver this crucial life-changing service to pupils.  Guidance must come with Government guarantees that they will also receive the financial support needed to deliver.”