UK Charities, Teach First and the Education and Employers have published new research highlighting the importance of getting children to think much earlier than at present about their future careers and ambitions through career-related learning in primary schools.

The report sets out examples of good career-related learning, despite challenges such as finding space and time in the curriculum to provide opportunities to learn about the world of work.  The report identifies that an essential ingredient for successful primary schools is buy-in from senior leadership. It recommends that primary schools should develop an approach to career-related learning that enables students to engage progressively in a wide range of experiences of transitions and the world of work.  Children should have encounters with the world of work from the age of 5 to see the connection between what they learn and what they might want to do in the future.

Career-related learning in primary: The role of primary teachers and schools in preparing children for the future