Good careers advice has never been more important, according to a leading educationalist.
Avril Hall-Callaghan, general secretary of Northern Ireland’s biggest locally-based teaching union, was speaking in the wake of what has been described as a ‘worrying deterioration’ of careers services in some other parts of the UK.
“The fact that Westminster’s Education Select Committee has highlighted this ‘worrying deterioration’ reveals the importance of good careers advice to pupils,” she said.
“Support at this stage could affect the rest of the young people’s working lives and have a knock-on effect on our economy.
“Schools can’t wave a wand and produce career resources or specialist training for staff without support and it is crucial that these needs are met.
“Good careers guidance has also been highlighted as important to social mobility and to tackling youth unemployment.
“An absence of good advice has been blamed for low aspirations in university applications and job seeking.
The Select Committee’s report suggests that far too many young people make vital and incredibly important decisions about their futures without enough access to good information.
“This cannot be allowed to happen in Northern Ireland — but we need the resources and support to ensure it does not.
“At a time when it seems young people are making ever more complicated choices in school qualifications, university courses and career paths, good careers guidance has never been so important.”
Ms Hall-Callaghan added that the Department of Employment and Learning’s drive to marry qualifications with employers’ needs was a positive step in the recovery of the local economy.
“By giving vocational subjects parity of esteem with academic, the system is encouraging more young people to undertake courses which will equip them with the qualifications to fill business, industry, commercial and professional vacancies,” she added.