The Labour party have guaranteed teenagers leaving education will receive face-to-face careers advice, including more information on apprenticeships.
The party has said that the career meetings with advisors would push apprenticeships and high level technical degree as well as more traditional academic routes.
The new proposals would apparently cost £50 million to implement, however Labour says that this would be paid for by employers, universities, colleges and schools.
Labour said that too many schools offer inadequate careers advice and, according to CBI, careers advice in schools is on “life support.”
The plans come after, “years of neglect and reductions in support under David Cameron and the Tories,” said Labour.
“Young people must be equipped with the right skills, the right knowledge and the right advice they need to succeed,” said Leader of the Opposition, Ed Miliband.
“Failure to do this will not only cheat our young people of a decent future, it will cheat our country too.”
Miliband commetned that from 11 years old, students can have face-to-face meetings with career advisors, better advice about high-quality apprenticeships and technical degrees on top of that he has said that work experience will be compulsory for 14-16 year olds and that schools will he held accountable for their careers advice.
The most recent announcement builds on Labours existing plans for maths and English to be compulsory until 18 and to introduce a Technical Baccalaureate.
Education has been one of Labours cornerstones for this election campaign with plans to cut university tuition fees, guarantee child care for primary school children between 8am and 6pm as well as capping primary school classes at 30.
Commenting on Labour’s proposals to revamp Careers Advice, Verity O’Keefe, education & skills adviser at EEF, commented: “We have long been calling for a radical overhaul of careers provision, including giving young people face to face advice.
“Without doubt manufacturers are crying out for fresh young talent but young people need independent advice to truly understand the opportunities available to them. We are glad to see Labour has adopted this recommendation.
“If we want to truly inspire the next generation to consider careers in industries such as manufacturing then we need to ensure young people get to see these opportunities first hand. Therefore a future government must put a stronger focus on work experience starting in secondary school.”
