How can careers advice have maximum impact in signposting people from disadvantaged backgrounds into further and higher education (including apprenticeships and T levels) and more rewarding careers? What is the optimum mode of delivery of information, advice, and guidance for disadvantaged groups and at what age should this start?
Background
DfE research interests for this pillar of the Opportunity Mission include enabling learners to make decisions that are informed by understanding the opportunities and support available, especially participation in further and higher education, and how continuing education affects their future opportunities. We also need to explore how our sectors can best prepare learners to take advantage of those opportunities, including in secondary education. We are especially interested in practices in further and higher education that engage less researched groups, such as those with care experience, those with SEND, experience of Alternate Provision, and children with a history of offending. However, this topic is not specific to the further and higher education sectors; for example, how different occupations and opportunities are conveyed to children at pre-school and school will influence their willingness to consider those paths in later life. (For brevity, please read all references to children as encompassing both children and young people where appropriate.)
Full details can be found at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/department-for-education-areas-of-research-interest
Next steps
Get in touch with research.engagement@education.gov.uk
Research fields
Related UKRI funded projects
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Why might this be relevant?
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The project investigates how England's vocational education and training system can better support school-to-work transitions for young people not going to university, addressing the question's focus on disadvantaged backgrounds and career pathways.
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While the project examines cultural engagements and young people's professional aspirations, it does not directly address the question's focus on careers advice impact for disadvantaged groups into further and higher education.