Education system not focused on future careers

Fewer than one in eight young people believe that future careers are the focus of the UK education system, according to new research. Meanwhile, two-thirds of the 1,000 teenagers aged 13-16 in the new study, published today, say league tables and academic grades are the priority in the system. According to the research commissioned by the Career Colleges Trust, 17 per cent of young people say they have no idea of any options outside traditional academic routes, and a third say they have no idea about what career path to take.Over a quarter of students believe the education system is “not fit for purpose”, and a third state this is because there is a “one size fits all” approach to education. A further 25 per cent say the system fails to cater to different learning needs and the same proportion feel that the curriculum and teaching styles are “outdated”. Bev Jones, chief executive of the Career Colleges Trust, said: “The education system is frequently talked about and debated, but rarely do we ask the young people themselves about their own experiences. This research highlights the concerns that teenagers have about their education and career pathways – and more support is needed to help them plan their futures.” She added employers were facing skills gaps, and yet young people were not aware of the many opportunities open to them. “With schools focused on academic achievement, students are struggling to make key decisions about their futures and not getting the exposure to industry and work experience that they need in order to do this.