Ed Balls, Sir Alex Ferguson and Professor Steve Smith at the IAG strategy launch held at Old Trafford, Manchester.
Vice-Chancellor joins Sir Alex Ferguson and Ed Balls to launch new careers information strategy
University of Exeter Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive Professor Steve Smith joined Children, Schools and Families Secretary Ed Balls, Sir Alex Ferguson, manager of Manchester United Football Club and Schools Minister Iain Wright at Old Trafford in Manchester, to launch a new careers information, advice and guidance (IAG) strategy.
The new strategy aims to modernise careers education, improve mentoring, and increase work experiences for young people, particularly from disadvantaged backgrounds.
It also sets out plans for primary schools to work with universities to give younger pupils an experience of higher education and the wider world of work.
Professor Steve Smith, who is President of Universities UK, said: “I was the first in my family to go to university and I was grateful for the information and advice I received. Without this, I would not be where I am today.
“It's vital that school children get appropriate advice and guidance about the range of options available to them - including diplomas, A levels, apprenticeships - as well as information about the higher education options available to them. The key is to increase the pool of 16 year olds continuing on in education.
“People may not be aware, but universities are now working closely with very young people - as early as primary school age to help them and their parents become aware of what higher education is about and what it has to offer.”
Professor Smith represented the university sector on the Prime Minister's National Council for Educational Excellence (NCEE) established in 2007 to look into links between schools and higher education. Last year’s NCEE's report highlighted the current links already in place between universities, schools and colleges and acknowledged the importance of prospective students receiving targeted, high quality advice about higher education.
New research published by the government also shows that children at 11 have very high aspirations, with 75 per cent saying they want to go to university.
Professor Smith added: “The NCEE report recommended improvements in IAG on offer to young people. It's good to see these recommendations now being taken forward, and the statutory guidance being published today will be important in supporting this goal.
“We know that many young people have high aspirations in terms of progressing to university and going on to careers. We must ensure, therefore, that these high aspirations are matched by high quality advice and guidance.”
Date: 28 October 2009
