Poor careers advice ‘deterring future engineers’
1 min read
UK school pupils are receiving poor careers advice from teachers who lack understanding of business and industry, according to a new survey by the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE).
More than 40% of the 2,030 people polled said they thought careers advice/guidance in UK secondary schools was poor, with 26% describing it as adequate. Only 10% believed the advice was good.
The survey also showed that 42% of people think secondary school teachers have a poor understanding of business and industry in general, with 30% saying they had an adequate understanding and just 9% believing it to be good.
The results come as the IMechE launches a new Teacher Industrial Partners' Scheme, which will see STEM teachers being offered two-week work placements within industry to help them better explain the highly diverse career opportunities to their students.
The scheme was launched in conjunction with Project ENTHUSE, the National Science Learning Centre and the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET).
Peter Finegold, Head of Education and Skills for the IMechE, said: "The perception the UK public has regarding secondary school careers advice is entirely accurate – it just isn't good enough at the moment.
"Good careers guidance in our schools is the engine of social mobility. We know that young people look to their teachers for advice, yet only 9% of the UK population feels that teachers have a good overall understanding of business and industry."
