MPs: Skills gap exacerbated by “inadequate” careers advice

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“Patchy” and inadequate career advice resulting from Government policy is worsening the skills gap in the jobs market and damaging the economy. That's according to the first report published by a cross-party sub-committee of MPs, which has called on Ofsted, the education watchdog, to avoiding rating schools as “good” or “outstanding” if careers provision is inadequate. The sub-committee, formed by the Education and Business, Innovation and Skills Committees in 2015, aims to examine issues around education and skills, and how they impact upon business and the economy. Its report, published today (5 July), found that a variety of policy changes introduced by the Government to improve education services have, in some cases, had the opposite effect, and the resulting skills gap is having a knock-on effect on the economy. Neil Carmichael MP, co-chair, said: “At a time when it is vital we equip young people with the right skills for their working lives, it’s concerning that so many are being failed by the guidance they receive. “Careers advice should be a core part of a young person’s schooling, but at the moment it is little more than a poorly thought out add-on. Schools should be incentivised to treat careers education, advice, information and guidance as a priority.” The investigation found that girls, those from a minority ethnic or working-class background, and lower-attaining students were less likely to receive careers guidan