Policy Connect recently partnered with the Career Development Policy Group (CDPG) to host a roundtable in Parliament on careers guidance. 

Joined by sector leaders, employers, and academics, participants engaged in a wide-ranging debate on the quality and availability of career guidance, and its role in driving economic and social change. 

With presentations from an array of experts, Lord Knight of Weymouth steered discussion on the opportunity for careers guidance to support growth, tackle youth unemployment or economic inactivity among both younger and older workers, raise productivity, address skills shortages and mismatches, prepare for the future AI and net zero economy and enable greater social mobility.

Following the election of a new Government with plans to reform careers guidance and access to skills, this was an opportune moment to discuss the Government’s plans for careers guidance and the merits of potential policy reforms. 

Alongside reform and new careers initiatives, panellists considered how careers guidance can be funded and delivered effectively to tackle economic activity. 

The roundtable featured insightful presentations and contributions from:

• David Morgan, Chief Executive, Career Development Insitute. 

• Alison Carter, Principal Research Fellow, Institute for Employment Studies.

• Dr Elnaz Kashef, Director of Policy, Research & Impact, Speakers for Schools.

• Clare Viney, CEO of the Careers Research and Advisory Centre.

• Professor Tristram Hooley, Professor of Career Education at the University of Derby.

• Katherine Horler, Executive Director of Careers England.

• Alison Morris, Head of Policy, FISSS.

• Rebecca Passingham, Assistant National Officer, UNISON.

• Tom Baines, West Yorkshire Combined Authority.

• Beth Jones, Head of Careers, Gatsby Education.

For more information on this event or Policy Connect’s Education and Skills work, please contact peter.wilson [at] policyconnect.org.uk (peter[dot]wilson[at]policyconnect[dot]org[dot]uk).