Education and Employers
Research Digest - August 2022

Publications

The career aspirations of primary-aged children in Ipswich and Felixstowe, Suffolk

Dmh Associates and Education and Employers Charity

This report provides findings of research that investigated the career aspirations of primary-aged children Suffolk. The research involved the ‘Drawing the Future’ exercise that focused on engaging up to 20 primary schools situated in various
settings in Ipswich and Felixstowe. The results highlight 80% (n=494) of the 618 children identified with only 32 jobs in only 3 Standard Occupational Code (SOC) sectors. Only ten jobs were drawn by 56% (n=346) of the children. 36% (n=216) of children knew about these jobs because someone they knew, mainly family members, did the job.

Meet the future: How employers gain from helping young people get career ready 

OECD

This report presents key findings from a new international report showing how employers have much to gain by working more closely with schools as they prepare students for the world of work. When employers work well with schools, young people gain access to new information and experiences that can change the way they think about education.

Ending the Big Squeeze on Skills: How to Futureproof Education in England 

Steve Coulter, Alexander Losad & James Scales

This report argues that policymakers should, at the core of a reformed system be a revised curriculum, more sophisticated modes of assessment and a new, rigorous accountability framework better attuned to the things that matter most. By pairing this with a comprehensive Edtech strategy, we can personalise the learning so that pupils grasp the basics much more quickly. This combination of reforms would free up time and introduce the right incentives for a focus on developing more complex skills. That would be a system fit for purpose in an age of profound transformation.

Skills for a net-zero economy: Insights from employers and young people 

Yasmin White, Tom Bradley, Beccy Packer & Emily Jones 

The report demonstrates a stark disconnect between increasing employer demand for green skills and young people’s lack of knowledge. A lack of awareness of green jobs and what qualifications support progression to these roles is thwarting young people’s aspirations for careers that can combat climate change and drive clean growth. In particular, this frustrates young women's aspirations to gain the high-quality skills businesses require to reduce emissions. The report also suggests that the language of ‘green jobs’ and ‘green skills’ is yet to resonate with young people, despite their commitment to sustainability.

Education Inequalities 

Christine Farquharson, Sandra McNally & Imran Tahir 

This report draws on extensive evidence to further our understanding of education inequalities in today’s world. The focus is education inequalities in the United Kingdom (UK), and predominantly in England. The report shows overwhelming evidence that the education system in England leaves too many young people behind. Despite decades of policy attention, there has been little if any shift in
the gaps in educational attainment between children from different backgrounds. There is no straightforward, attractive route for young people who perform poorly at GCSE. And the adult education system has suffered from complicated funding rules and a shrinking pot of spending​​​​​​.

Missing Millions: Considering the untapped potential of millions of working-age people in the UK 

City & Guilds Group 

This report presents research that provides an understanding of the current impact of the low levels of investment in training in the UK and, in addition, tries to quantify how many people’s potential contribution to society is being squandered as a result of not having access to regular skills development. And the inevitable
impact of that on social mobility. The research found that almost half of respondents (47%) had not taken part in workplace training in the last three years, while over a quarter (26%) had not had any training for at least a decade. 

Schools today, schools tomorrow views on education in England – 2022 and beyond

 Pearson 

This report presents the latest insights from a huge variety of schools and settings. The result is an inclusive representation of schools in England today from the teacher perspective – focusing on world events, the national curriculum, sustainability, wellbeing and much more. Alongside this are thought-provoking expert commentaries on how we can build a future-proof system for tomorrow. 

Levelling up the UK shining a spotlight on the essential roles that are vital in the UK 

City & Guilds Group

The Great Jobs research found that the ongoing skills shortages were exacerbated by a reluctance amongst working-age people to do certain jobs. Conversely, these were often the very jobs that the Government deemed essential to the running of the country during the pandemic. These shortages are significantly impacting the ability of employers to meet their skills requirements and their future potential, as well as impacting the safe and effective running of our society.

Comments

222 million dreams for the human family 

Yasmine Sherif

The unheard impact: Technology and the teaching profession 

Lainie Keper 

TVET: Scaffolding digital skills to the future 

Glenda Crosling, Graeme Atherton & Angela Lee Siew Hoong, 

Making commitments at the Transforming Education Summit – and following up on them

David Sengeh

Will a crisis force us to rethink school leadership? Insights from a South-South Exchange

Sameer Sampat, Adhishree Parasnis, Sharanya Ramesh Vasudevan & Juan Baron 

It's not girls versus boys, it's ALL children against gender inequality

Luisa Campi, Pauline Rose & Antara Ganguli

Events