All pupils and learners should understand the full range of learning opportunities that are available to them, including academic, technical and vocational routes. This should incorporate learning in schools, colleges, independent training providers (ITPs), universities and in the workplace.
- By the age of 16, every pupil should have had meaningful encounters with providers of the full range of learning opportunities, including sixth forms, colleges, universities and ITPs.
- By the age of 18, all pupils who are considering applying to higher education should have had at least two visits to higher education providers to meet staff and learners.
Criteria for Colleges and ITPs
- By the end of their programme of study, every learner should have had a meaningful encounter with a range of providers of learning and training that may form the next stages of their career. This should include, as appropriate, further education colleges, universities and ITPs. This should include the opportunity to meet both staff and learners.
Definition of ‘Meaningful’ for Benchmark 7
A meaningful encounter gives the young person the opportunity to explore what it is like to learn, develop and succeed in that environment. This should include the opportunity to meet both staff and learners/trainees. Throughout a careers programme, encounters should be sequenced so that a young person can build up a clear picture of opportunities available to them. Experiences or encounters could be in person or a combination of in person and virtual and could include providers delivering sessions in a school, college or ITP, as well as young people visiting the provider. Young people and providers should be supported to prepare for the encounter. Additional or different support may be needed for vulnerable and disadvantaged young people and for young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).
A meaningful encounter will:
- have a clear purpose, which is shared with the provider and the young person
- be underpinned by learning outcomes that are appropriate to the needs of the young person
- involve a two-way interaction between the young person and the provider
- include information about the provider, such as their recruitment and selection processes, the qualifications that provider offers and the careers these could lead to
- describe what learning or training with the provider is like
- be followed by opportunities for the young person to reflect on the insights, knowledge or skills gained through the encounter
If a student is intending to go to University should encounters relating to other options also be provided?
All students, whatever their ability, should understand the full range of options available to help them make informed decisions at age 16 and 18. This should include the full range of qualifications and places to learn available.
What if a student isn’t considering University?
It’s important that students are aware of all options and are encouraged to consider aspiration options if appropriate, including University or alternative options.
How can I offer meaningful encounters with an Independent Training Provider?
An Independent Training Provider could be any institution providing a recognised pathway into work or training and can include apprenticeships, pre-employment basic level training or recognised vocational training.
What is our legal duty on providing access to providers of technical education and apprenticeships?
The government introduced a new legal duty from January 2018 which requires all maintained schools and academies to ensure there is an opportunity for a range of education and training providers to access all pupils for the purposes of informing them about approved technical education qualifications. Schools are required to publish a Provider Access Policy on their websites setting out when and how providers can access students through the year.
What does a successful apprenticeship encounter look like?
Investors in People recently partnered with the Association of Apprentices in their mission to help hundreds of employers and training providers with their apprenticeship offers, prioritising apprentices’ needs from work skills to wellbeing and providing advice, news, and the opportunity to connect amongst peers.
In the build-up to their event ‘How do we give every apprentice the best chance of success?’, they spoke to Skills Development Co-Ordinator Hannah Payne and Apprentice Developer Christa Bridges about what they think a successful apprenticeship looks like.
In this article they cover topics like business case, wellbeing, objective setting and management. Give the article a read and you can watch the event if you scroll to the bottom of the article.
Resources to help achieve this benchmark:
| Resource | Description | Links & Downloads | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | CEC Resource DirectoryCEC Gatsby Benchmark 7 overview and links to resources | CEC Gatsby Benchmark 7 overview and link to resources | CEC Resource Directory |
| 2 | Provider Access Policy | All schools should have an up to date provider access policy/statement on their website. This is a template that can be used. | To follow |
| 3 | Making it Meaningful Checklist | This checklist is designed to help Career Leaders ensure each encounter or experience is meaningful for all participants and will ensure quality and consistency to the activity. The checklist is specifically for use in careers activities involving an employer or FE/HE provider. | Download |
| 4 | Encounters with further and higher education: Practical ideas from schools and colleges for achieving Gatsby Benchmark 7 | This report provides practical insights from Careers Leaders about how to deliver encounters with further and higher education for young people in secondary schools, colleges and special schools. | Download |
| 5 | Hello Future video resources | E-Learning Presentations helping students learn more about higher education. | Visit website |
| 6 | Cumbria Career Hub - National Apprenticeship Week Resources | A suite of 8 documents to help discussions around Apprenticeships | Download |
| 7 | Cumbria Career Hub - National Apprenticeship Week Resources KS3 - KS5 | Resources specifically designed to assist with Apprenticeship delivery at KS3, KS4 and KS5 | Download KS3 Download KS4 Download KS5 |
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